Slow Release of Iron into Blood from Aspergillus Oryzae Compared to Ferrous Sulfate in Humans

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Iron fortification and supplementation are the usual strategies employed to prevent or treat anemia, the most common world‐wide nutritional problem. Although used extensively and effectively, the ferrous sulfate supplement is known to cause adverse side effects and have presented problems with compliance. Ferrous sulfate is rapidly absorbed and the bolus of iron enters blood rather quickly possibly leading to higher concentrations of non‐transferrin bound iron which induces oxidative stress. The objective of this study was to determine how quickly iron enters into blood stream from the iron‐enriched Asperigillus oryzae (AspironTM, ASP) in contrast to ferrous sulfate. Iron‐enriched ASP was produced by using a proprietary technology developed by Cura Global Health, Inc. by growing the fungi with ferrous sulfate, dried, and ground to a fine powder. Eighteen healthy, female subjects (18–35 y), non‐pregnant, non‐anemic, and with low iron status (ferritin ≤30 μg/L), completed the study. A randomized, double blind, cross‐over experimental design was used with three treatments. Subjects were randomized to consume a test meal with three iron supplements (10 mg iron as FeSO4 and ASP as well as 20 mg iron as ASP) in the form of capsules during three separate visits: Blood samples were collected after consuming iron supplement capsules with a meal (rice and vegetables with orange juice) at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210 and 240 min. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for FeSO4 and the two ASP doses based on changes in serum iron concentrations from baseline. Ferritin and hemoglobin concentrations were measured at the beginging of study but C‐reactive protein was measured at the beginning of each treatment. The average ferritin and hemoglobin concentrations were 18.3 μg/L and 131 g/L, respectively. The mean AUC of FeSO4 (1674.5 ± 1548.4) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the AUCs of 10 mg Aspiron (868.7 ± 480.7; p<0.05) and 20 mg Aspiron (899.9 ± 771.4). After reaching their maximum iron levels (~120 min), serum iron levels with FeSO4 declined while both Aspiron doses seemed to remained constant. CRP concentrations were low (1.6 mg/L) didn't vary among the treatments. Based on the slow iron release results in our study, we can speculate that the ASP iron might be absorbed by a different mechanisms similar to ferritin iron or it might be digested slowly requiring longer time for iron to be released in to blood. Our results suggest strong potential for ASP's use as a supplement in polulations where ferrous sulfate supplementaion is of concern.Support or Funding InformationCura Global Health, Inc.