Effect of Excess Iron Intake on Growth and Intestinal Inflammatory Injury in Rats

Abstract

ObjectiveTo study the effects of excess iron intake on growth and development, and determine the possible mechanism.MethodsFourty eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: low iron group, normal group, medium iron group, and high iron group, and received daily iron intake of 7mg/kg, 16.8mg/kg, 35mg/kg, and 70mg/kg in diet, and deionized water, respectively, for 8 weeks. The general condition, body weight, and food intake were documented during the study. Serum levels of Ferritin, IL‐6, IL‐10, and sIgA were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).ResultsDuring the process of iron intervention, the high iron group had lower growth compared with the other three groups (p<0.05). In addition, the levels of IL‐6 (108.60pg/ml) in small intestine were higher in the high iron group compared to the normal iron group (84.68pg/ml, P<0.05), while serum levels of IL‐10 (50.47 pg/ml) in small intestine in the high iron group was lower than that in the normal iron group (71.69 pg/ml, (P<0.05). Serum levels of sIgA (62.3pg/ml) in small intestine with the high iron group is lower than that in the normal iron group (67.1 pg/ml, P<0.05). The histopathology showed normal morphology in the low iron and normal iron groups, however the rats in medium iron group showed slightly damaged mucosa, and lost apical microvilli. Irregular shape of microvilli and necrosis were found in a few epithelial cells of intestinal mucosa in the high iron group rats.ConclusionExcessive dietary iron intake has a negative affect on the normal growth and development of rats, and results in inflammatory injury in intestinal tract of rats.Support or Funding InformationThe National Natural Science Fund (No. 81373000)