Abstract
Iron deficiency is the most common mammalian nutritional disorder. However, among mammalian species iron deficiency anemia (IDA), occurs regularly only in pigs. To cure IDA, piglets are routinely injected with high amounts of iron dextran (FeDex), which can lead to perturbations in iron homeostasis. Here, we evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of non-invasive supplementation with Sucrosomial iron (SI), a highly bioavailable iron supplement preventing IDA in humans and mice and various iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). Analysis of red blood cell indices and plasma iron parameters shows that not all iron preparations used in the study efficiently counteracted IDA comparable to FeDex-based supplementation. We found no signs of iron toxicity of any tested iron compounds, as evaluated based on the measurement of several toxicological markers that could indicate the occurrence of oxidative stress or inflammation. Neither SI nor IONPs increased hepcidin expression with alterations in ferroportin (FPN) protein level. Finally, the analysis of the piglet gut microbiota indicates the individual pattern of bacterial diversity across taxonomic levels, independent of the type of supplementation. In light of our results, SI but not IONPs used in the experiment emerges as a promising nutritional iron supplement, with a high potential to correct IDA in piglets.
Highlights
Iron deficiency is the most common mammalian nutritional disorder in the neonatal period
We have investigated whether iron nanoparticles (IONPs) and Sucrosomial® Iron (SI), which are believed to bypass classical pathways of iron absorption, would be an effective compound in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in newborn piglets
Piglets Supplemented with Sucrosomial Iron® (SI) but Not Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (IONPs)
Summary
Iron deficiency is the most common mammalian nutritional disorder in the neonatal period. Among mammalian species neonatal iron deficiency anemia (IDA), the most severe consequence of iron scarcity, occurs regularly only in pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) [1,2,3]. The supplementation of piglets (on days 3–6 postpartum) with large amounts of iron dextran (FeDex) is a routine veterinary procedure preventing the development of IDA [4], but is connected with several side effects including, in some cases, the sudden cardiovascular collapse and respiratory failure [5]. Oral administration of iron may be associated with potentially dangerous intestinal disorders such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation. Oral iron supplementation may lead to an imbalance in intestinal microbiota, that can influence the absorption of iron and other micronutrients [7]
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