O0069 WHEAT BRAN HAS NO NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THE REGENERATION OF HEMOGLOBIN AND WEIGHT GAIN IN GROWING RATS WITH IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

Abstract

Introduction: There are concerns about dietary fiber intake by infants due to the possible negative effects of dietary fiber on growth and on the intestinal absorption of minerals, including iron. Wheat bran is a food rich in dietary fiber. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of wheat bran on intestinal iron absorption (regeneration of hemoglobin)and on the growth of rats with iron deficiency anemia. Methods: Twenty-one-day-old male Wistar-EPM rats (N = 24) were fed the AIN-93G iron-free diet for a period of 2 weeks to induce iron deficiency anemia. After the induction of anemia, the animals aged 5 weeks, were divided randomly into two groups: 1. wheat bran group receiving a diet with 250 g of wheat bran per kilo (100 g/kg of dietary fiber) and 2. control group receiving a normal diet (AIN-93; cellulose, 50 g/kg). The diets contained the same amount of iron (25 mg of elemental iron per kg of diet). Hemoglobin was determined by the cyanomethemoglobin method. Hepatic iron was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Perkin-Elmer - 5.100, Norwalk, CT, USA). The groups were similar when the test diets with iron were initiated. Results:Table shows the weekly food intake (g), weight gain (g) and hemoglobin increment (g/dL).After 3 weeks of diet, body weight was 228.7±20.4 g for the wheat bran group and 225.5±23.6 g for the control. At the end of the experiment, hemoglobin was 10.1±2.4 g/dl for the experimental group and 9,5±2,8 g/dl for the control. Iron levels determined in dried liver tissue were 142,0±48,7 mug/g for the wheat bran group and 157.7±81.9 mug/g for the control. No significant differences were detected between the two groups.Table 1: Mean (standard-deviation) of food intake, weight gain and hemoglobin incrementConclusion: This study, carried out with immature growing rats with iron deficiency anemia, did not show any reduction in intestinal iron absorption, in food intake or in growth associated with the use of a diet rich in wheat bran.