Changes In Iron Status Research Articles

Iron status of North American pregnant women: an update on longitudinal data and gaps in knowledge from the United States and Canada

Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to iron deficiency due to the high iron demands of pregnancy. To avoid the adverse birth outcomes that are associated with maternal iron deficiency anemia, both Canada and the United States recommend universal iron supplementation for pregnant women. Although the benefits of iron supplementation in anemic women are well recognized, insufficient data are currently available on the maternal and neonatal benefits and harms of universal iron supplementation in developed countries as evidenced by the recent conclusions of the US Preventive Services Task Force on the need for further data that address existing gaps. As part of an effort to evaluate the impact of the current North American prenatal iron supplementation policy, this review highlights the lack of national data on longitudinal changes in iron status in pregnant North American women, emphasizes possible limitations with the original longitudinal hemoglobin data used to inform the current CDC reference hemoglobin values, and presents additional normative data from recent longitudinal research studies of iron status in North American pregnant women. Further longitudinal data in North American pregnant women are needed to help identify those who may benefit most from supplementation as well as to help determine whether there are adverse effects of iron supplementation in iron-replete women.

Iron status and associations with aerobic performance and stress fracture risk during initial military training

Introduction: Sub-optimal changes in iron status have been reported in female soldiers during military training. Poor iron status negatively affects physical performance and may affect bone health, as iron deficiency anaemia has been associated with occurrence of stress fractures. In New Zealand, all soldiers complete 16-weeks initial military training (IMT). The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in iron status indicators during IMT in female soldiers and associations between iron status and functional outcomes, including aerobic performance and stress fractures.

Changes in iron status of British Army recruits in basic military training

Introduction: Iron status has been shown to deteriorate in female soldiers during military training in the US. The aim of this programme was to examine the sub clinical and clinical iron status of British Army recruits at the start (T1) and end (T2) of 14 weeks of basic military training.

The Impact of Daily Aerobic Exercise Training on the Efficacy of Iron Supplementation in Chinese Women

BackgroundDespite having known detrimental effects on physical and cognitive performance, iron deficiency (ID) remains the most common micronutrient deficiency in the world. Many interventions aiming to improve iron status involve high‐risk, physically active populations such as manual laborers or athletes. Intense aerobic exercise training has been shown to negatively affect iron status; however, the impact of regular aerobic exercise on the efficacy of iron supplementation in improving iron status remains unclear.ObjectiveTo determine whether regular aerobic training modifies the efficacy of iron supplementation in improving iron status.Methods339 women were screened for a randomized control trial, of which 72 were found to be iron depleted with no or mild anemia at baseline (serum ferritin (sFer) <25 μg/L and hemoglobin (Hb) >90 g/L) and included in this study. A double‐blind study was conducted with a 2×2 design including iron supplements (42mg elemental iron/day) or placebo and daily aerobic training (5 sessions/week of 25 minutes at 75–85% maximum heart rate) or no training. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to evaluate the relationship between supplement type, training, and final changes in iron status as measured by sFer, Hb, transferrin receptor (sTfR), and body iron.ResultsThere were no differences in age, weight, height, percent body fat, iron measures, inflammation, or physical fitness between the four treatment groups at baseline. Additionally, there were no differences in the number of iron or placebo capsules consumed by each of the four groups or the number of training sessions attended by the two training groups. At endline, the iron group showed a significant increase in sFer (23.6 μg/L, p<0.01), whereas the placebo group showed no change over time (6.0 μg/L, NS). Similarly, the trained group showed a significant improvement in fitness, assessed as VO2max (3.8 mL/min/kg, p<0.01), whereas there was no change in the untrained groups (−0.89 mL/min/kg, NS). There was a significant time by supplement by training group interaction in models predicting sFer (p<0.01). Specifically, the iron trained group had a significantly lower change in sFer than the iron untrained group (−15.8 μg/L, p=0.03). The same result was seen for body iron. The interactions observed between supplement and training group for predicting sFer and body iron remained significant when Hb was included as a covariate in the models.ConclusionsThe data from this study suggest that regular aerobic training reduces the efficacy of iron supplementation in improving iron status. Improvements in both iron stores (sFer) and body iron were negatively affected by training and this effect was independent of change in Hb. No net Hb change was observed in the placebo trained group, suggesting that the observed training effect on iron response is not due to increased Hb demand. Further analyses could help clarify what is driving the modifying effect of exercise on supplement efficacy (iron absorption, reduced energetic efficiency, etc.). These findings indicate that interventions targeted at improving iron status may be less effective in physically active populations, which should be further studied to identify the optimal strategies for iron delivery in these groups.Support or Funding InformationFunding: Fulbright US Student Fellowship, Cornell Lehman Fund, Foreign Language Area Studies, Cornell Human Ecology Alumni Association, Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Association, N.S. Meinig Professorship

Changes in Iron Status in Peripheral Blood and Livers of Pigs with Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy

Changes in Iron Status in Peripheral Blood and Livers of Pigs with Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy

Iron deficiency and anemia are prevalent in women with multiple gestations

Background: Little attention has been placed on the unique iron demands that may exist in women with multiple gestations. This merits attention because iron deficiency (ID) during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes that are known to be more prevalent in multiple births.Objective: We characterized longitudinal changes in iron status across pregnancy in a cohort of healthy women with multiple gestations and identified determinants of maternal ID and anemia.Design: A group of 83 women carrying twins, triplets, or quadruplets (aged 20–46 y) was recruited from 2011 to 2014. Blood samples obtained during pregnancy (∼24 wk; n = 73) and at delivery (∼35 wk; n = 61) were used to assess hemoglobin, serum ferritin (SF), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), hepcidin, serum iron, erythropoietin, serum folate, vitamin B-12, C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6.Results: The prevalence of tissue ID (sTfR >8.5 mg/L) increased significantly from pregnancy to delivery (9.6% compared with 23%, P = 0.03). Women with depleted iron stores (SF <12 μg/L, n = 20) during pregnancy had a 2-fold greater risk of anemia at delivery, and 25% (n = 5) developed iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Overall, 44.6% of women studied (n = 37/83) were anemic at delivery, and 18% of women (n = 11/61) had IDA. Erythropoietin during pregnancy was significantly negatively associated with hemoglobin at delivery. Women with erythropoietin >75th percentile during pregnancy exhibited a 3-fold greater risk of anemia, suggesting that erythropoietin is a sensitive predictor of anemia at delivery. Inflammation was present at delivery, which limited the utility of ferritin or hepcidin as iron-status indicators at delivery.Conclusions: ID and anemia are highly prevalent in women with multiple gestations. Additional screening and iron supplementation may be warranted in this high-risk population given the known associations between ID anemia and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01582802.

Evidence there are at least three ways for copper to be taken up by enterocytes across the brush border, as investigated in the Caco2 cell model

The specifics of intestinal copper absorption by enterocytes and the effects of copper and iron status on this process are still not completely understood. The Caco2 polarized cell culture models for enterocytes was used to determine whether copper transporter 1 (CTR1) participates in Cu uptake across the brush border membrane and is located on that side of the cell monolayer; whether divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), a chloride dependent transporter, and another as yet unknown transporter are also involved; and whether the status of Cu and Fe of the cells has any effect. Quantitative PCR analysis of Caco2 cells grown on six‐well tissue culture plates showed that CTR1 and DMT1 mRNA were expressed in about equal proportions relative to 18S rRNA. Both DMT1 and CTR1 expression increased overall when the cell culture medium was supplemented with 1 uM Cu(II) histidine for 24 hours. Potential effects of changes in iron status are under investigation. To test if increased mRNA expression resulted in a greater rate of copper uptake, cells were seeded on bicameral chambers and allowed to polarize. Transepithelial electrical resistance was measured to determine the formation of tight junctions. Cells were then untreated or pretreated with 5uM copper to induce copper excess or triethylenetetramine (TETA) to induce copper deficiency. Rates of uptake of Cu(I) (5uM) were measured by following uptake of 67Cu into cells and the basolateral fluid over 1h, after application to the apical (brush border) side of the monolayer, in serum‐free HEPES buffered medium. Copper supplementation did not enhance the rate of copper uptake, but copper deficiency significantly reduced it by 20–35%. Supplementation with 5uM Fe(II) (as the nitrilotriacetate complex) to induce iron excess, or 10 uM desferrioxamine (to induce deficiency) had little to no effect on the ability of the monolayers to take up copper across the brush border. To check for activity of a chloride dependent transporter, uptake of 67Cu(I) across the apical portion of the monolayer was measured in HEPES buffered medium in which Na2SO4, MgSO4, and K2SO4 was substituted for NaCl, MgCl2, and KCl. Cells were also incubated with and without silver in order to also determine the importance of CTR1 to dietary copper uptake. Generally, copper uptake was reduced by a small amount by 10–20% when chloride was replaced with sulfate. Addition of Ag(I) (50 uM) reduced uptake 20–50%, the largest effect being in the presence of silver and sulfate, thus leaving at least half of the uptake occurring through other means. The assumed role of a reductase in copper uptake was also examined. By qPCR, we found that Caco2 cells expressed STEAPs 2 and 3 but not 4 mRNA, and did not express duodenal cytochrome B. Measurements of Cu(II) reductase activity by the method of Wyman et al, using 50 uM Cu(II)‐NTA and 200 uM bathocuproine disulfonate, indicated the presence of cell surface reductase activity. Efforts to knock out DMT1 and STEAP2 by CRISPR/Cas9 are currently underway to see their impact on copper absorption, as is confocal microscopy to definitively locate CTR1. We conclude that copper absorption by enterocytes is more complex than generally assumed, and there may be an as yet unidentified copper uptake transporter in the brush border membrane of enterocytes.

Examining the causal effects of changes in iron status on brain and attentional functioning using structural equation modeling

Iron deficiency (ID) in otherwise healthy adults can impair perceptual and cognitive functioning, along with brain dynamics (as measured by EEG). We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the hypothesis that changes in iron status lead to changes in brain functioning and then to changes in behavioral measures. The data used here were taken from 54 ID (sFt &lt;15 µg/L) participants in a randomized double‐blind efficacy study. Blood, behavioral, and EEG measures were taken at baseline, endline, and at one of eight random time‐points in between. Five measures of iron status, behavioral data from three tasks measuring attentional capture and control, and peak amplitudes of a set of event related potentials (ERP) measures taken during the tasks at baseline were used as indicators of separate latent constructs in a set of contrasting SEMs. Thus far, a model with three latent factors provides the best description of the data, with the three latent factors being (a) systemic iron (sFt and sTfR) directly influencing (b) brain dynamics (ERP amplitudes), with brain dynamics then influencing (c) attentional function (reaction times from the three tasks). This model provides a better description of the data than does a model representing no causal link from blood to brain to behavior, or a model in which oxygen delivery (as indicated by hemoglobin, red blood cell distribution width, and mean cell volume) influences brain dynamics and then attentional functioning. These results suggest the utility of SEMs to relate changes in blood, brain, and behavior.

The Relationship Between Iron Status and Free‐Living Physical Activity in Indian School Children

Iron deficiency affects many functional outcomes such as maximal oxygen uptake, energy efficiency, and work productivity. Physical activity is a functional outcome that is less well understood due to inherent difficulties associated with its measurement. The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between iron status and measures of free‐living physical activity in Indian children (12 to 16 years old) during a two‐hour period of discretionary time after school. Physical activity data were collected from the children for one week using Actigraph GT3X accelerometers. Energy expenditure was calculated in metabolic equivalents (METs) from accelerometer counts using Crouter's refined two‐regression model. Energy expenditure was analyzed in relation to iron deficiency (defined as serum ferritin &lt; 12 mg/dL), age and gender using generalized linear models. 64 of the 215 students analyzed in the sample were iron deficient based on serum ferritin levels. Iron deficient participants spent a lower percentage of the discretionary time period at activity levels greater than 3 METs (13.8%) compared to non‐iron deficient participants (16.8%) (p=0.037) when accounting for age. While significant, this effect seems to be confounded by the relationship between gender and physical activity. Iron deficiency in Indian children is associated with a lower percentage of time spent at moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity levels during discretionary time. Future analyses will be used to examine the relationship between changes in iron status from low doses of iron in biofortified pearl millet and changes in physical activity. Funded by HarvestPlus.

Assessmet of Labile Plasma Iron and Hepcidin in Patients Who Undergo Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Nontransferrin-bound iron (NTBI) has been reported shortly after myeloablative conditioning in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and it is assumed that the appearance of unbound iron in this nontransfusion setting possibly reflects a major disturbance in body iron distribution, which is related mainly to its underutilization due to erythropoiesis suppression. There is a concern that labile plasma iron (LPI), the most toxic fraction of NTBI that includes the redox-active forms of iron, can be involved in the occurrence of toxicity and other complications commonly observed in the early post-HSCT period. Recently, we demonstrated that LPI levels, albeit normal at baseline measurements, increased substantially 48 hours after the start of conditioning in HSCT patients and remained increased until engraftment, when it returned to normal levels (Acta Haematol 2014;131:222-226). Here we provide a more detailed analysis of iron status in HSCT patients by adding determinations of hepcidin and standard iron parameters along with LPI in 25 adult patients undergoing first autologous HSCT following myeloablative conditioning. All iron parameters were determined before the start of conditioning (baseline), on day 0 (before stem cells infusion) and upon documented engraftment (Table). The fast and substantial increase in LPI levels on day 0, indeed reflected a disruption of iron homeostasis by conditioning, that was accompanied by a response in hepcidin and TfS levels. However, reutilization of iron by a restored erythropoiesis upon engraftment lead to a substantial drop in LPI, but not in hepcidin levels, possibly due to the fact that production of hepcidin by the liver is not only modulated by iron loading and erythropoietic activity, but also inflammation. Ferritin baseline levels were already increased and did not change throughout the study. Considering all determinations (baseline, day 0 and engraftment), hepcidin levels correlated positively with ferritin (r=0,43; p=0,01; Figure Panel A) and TfS (r=0,37; p=0,02; Figure Panel B); and LPI correlated positively with TfS (r=4,3; p=0,002; Figure Panel C), although increased LPI levels were observed with normal TfS levels in some patients. A tendency of correlation between hepcidin and LPI was found considering only baseline and day 0 levels (r=0,30; p=0,05; Figure Panel D). These results indicate that LPI reflected better the changes in iron status caused by cytotoxic chemotherapy in HSCT patients, and could serve as a target in the eventuality of chelation therapy in the early period of HSCT. The other iron parameters were probably influenced by inflammation, even upon engraftment, and would not behave as appropriate surrogate markers for increased LPI levels.*LPI levels <0.5μM are considered normal.† p<0,05 in relation to baseline levels. [Display omitted] DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Iron status and reproduction in US women: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2006.

Women experience significant changes in iron status throughout their reproductive lifespans. While this is evident in regions with high rates of malnutrition and infectious disease, the extent of reproductive-related changes is less well known in countries with low rates of iron deficiency anemia, such as the United States. The goal of this study is determine the relationship between women's reproductive variables (pregnancy, parity, currently breastfeeding, regular menstruation, hormonal contraceptive use, and age at menarche) and iron status (hemoglobin, ferritin, transferrin receptor, and % transferrin saturation) using an anthropological framework for interpreting the results. Data from women aged 18–49 were taken from the 1999–2006 US NHANES, a nationally representative cross-sectional sample of US women. Using multiple imputation and complex survey statistics, women's reproductive variables were regressed against indicators of iron status. Pregnant women had significantly poorer iron status, by most indicators, than non-pregnant women. All biomarkers demonstrated significantly lower iron levels with increasing parity. Women who were having regular periods had iron indicators that suggested decreased iron levels, while women who used hormonal contraceptives had iron indicators that suggested increased iron levels. Despite relatively good iron status and widespread availability of iron-rich foods in the US, women still exhibit patterns of iron depletion across several reproductive variables of interest. These results contribute to an ecological approach to iron status that seeks to understand variation in iron status, with the hopes that appropriate, population-specific recommendations can be developed to improve women's health.

Decline in childhood iron deficiency after interruption of malaria transmission in highland Kenya , ,

Achieving optimal iron status in children in malaria-endemic areas may increase the risk of malaria. Malaria itself may contribute to iron deficiency, but the impact of an interruption in malaria transmission on the prevalence of iron deficiency is unknown. We aimed to determine whether 1) iron status improved in children living in 2 Kenyan villages with a documented cessation in malaria transmission and 2) changes in iron status correlated with changes in hemoglobin. We measured iron [hemoglobin, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR)] and inflammatory [C-reactive protein (CRP)] markers in paired plasma samples from 190 children aged 4-59 mo at the beginning (May 2007) and end (July 2008) of a documented 12-mo period of interruption in malaria transmission in 2 highland areas in Kenya with unstable malaria transmission and ongoing malaria surveillance. Between May 2007 and July 2008, mean (±SD) hemoglobin increased from 10.8 ± 1.6 to 11.6 ± 1.6 g/dL. Median (25th, 75th percentile) ferritin increased from 17.0 (9.7, 25.6) to 22.6 (13.4, 34.7) μg/L (P < 0.001), whereas median sTfR decreased from 32.4 (26.3, 43.2) to 27.7 (22.1, 36.0) nmol/L (P < 0.001). Median CRP was low (<1 mg/L in both years) and did not change significantly. Iron deficiency prevalence (ferritin <12 μg/L, or <30 μg/L if CRP ≥10 mg/L) decreased from 35.9% (95% CI: 28.9%, 43.0%) to 24.9% (18.5%, 31.2%) (P = 0.005). The prevalence of iron deficiency with anemia (hemoglobin <11.0 g/dL) declined from 27.2% (20.7%, 33.8%) to 12.2% (7.4%, 17.1%) (P < 0.001). Improvement in iron status correlated with an increase in hemoglobin and was greater than explained by physiologic changes expected with age. In this area of unstable malaria transmission, the prevalence of iron deficiency in children decreased significantly after the interruption of malaria transmission and was correlated with an increase in hemoglobin. These findings suggest that malaria elimination strategies themselves may be an effective way to address iron deficiency in malaria-endemic areas.

Changes in brain dynamics as a function of changes in body iron status: effects on attentional function in Indian adolescents following consumption of iron‐biofortified pearl millet (389.2)

Iron deficiency (ID) is a highly prevalent micronutrient deficiency, affecting individuals world wide. Evidence suggests that brain iron deficiency with and without anemia may disrupt myelination, neurotransmitter regulation, synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and brain energetics. In addition, measures of electroencephelography (EEG) have suggested systematic variations in amplitudes, latencies, and spectral power of EEG components as a function of various measures of iron status. We report analysis of data obtained in the context of a double‐blind efficacy trial, in which Indian adolescents (n = 264) were randomized to groups consuming either high‐iron biofortified or normal‐iron pearl millet. A subset of participants (n = 75, 12‐16 y, 38 females) performed three tasks (simple reaction time, go‐nogo, and the attentional network task) assessing attentional function before and after the intervention while simultaneously having EEG recorded. We observed significant decreases in the latencies and increases in the amplitudes of two early EEG components (P1/N1, P3), as well as increases in global field power and the power of γ‐band activity, all as a function of treatment group, baseline iron status, and changes in iron status. Results suggest the potential for improving brain dynamics by improving iron status and for understanding the role of iron in healthy brain function.Grant Funding Source: HarvestPlus/IFPRI

Relationships between changes in iron status and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) after a 5 month iron‐biofortified bean efficacy trial (646.3)

Objective: To examine the effects of an iron‐biofortified bean intervention on physical performance in Rwandan women assessed by VO2max.Methods: 145 Rwandan women (18‐26 years) were randomized to receive either iron‐biofortified beans or traditional beans twice daily for 5 months. Blood biomarkers and VO2max were measured before and after the feeding period. VO2max was assessed with a mechanically braked cycle ergometer (Monark 874E). Heart rate, VO2, and VCO2 were directly measured with the Cosmed K4B2 system. Non parametric tests and general linear models were used to evaluate the effect of the intervention on blood biomarkers and VO2max.Results: Serum ferritin significantly increased in the iron‐biofortified group (4.0 μg/l increase in median in treatment group, 2.5 μg/l increase in median in control group; p=0.04). VO2max declined in both groups over the course of the intervention with no difference between the high iron and control beans. However, in iron status responders (those with ferritin increase of 15% or more; n=122), women in the treatment group had significantly attenuated decline in VO2max compared with women in the control group (estimate 2.11 ml O2/min/kg, p=0.02).Conclusion: Consumption of iron‐biofortified beans significantly improved iron status in Rwandan women, and improvements in iron status in the iron‐biofortified group attenuated the decline in VO2max.Grant Funding Source: Supported by HarvestPlus

Serum-induced up-regulation of hepcidin expression involves the bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathway

Hepcidin is a peptide hormone that is secreted by the liver and that functions as the central regulator of systemic iron metabolism in mammals. Its expression is regulated at the transcriptional level by changes in iron status and iron requirements, and by inflammatory cues. There is considerable interest in understanding the mechanisms that influence hepcidin expression because dysregulation of hepcidin production is associated with a number of disease states and can lead to iron overload or iron-restricted anemia. In order to shed light on the factors that alter hepcidin expression, we carried out experiments with HepG2 and HuH7, human hepatoma cell lines that are widely used for this purpose. We found that the addition of heat-inactivated fetal calf serum to these cells resulted in a significant dose- and time-dependent up-regulation of hepcidin expression. Serum also activated signaling events known to be downstream of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), a group of molecules that have been implicated previously in hepcidin regulation. Inhibition of these signals with dorsomorphin significantly suppressed serum-induced hepcidin up-regulation. Our results indicate that a BMP or BMP-like molecule present in serum may play an important role in regulating hepcidin expression.

Iron status in metabolic syndrome

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the changes in iron status in MS-individuals and to determine the effects of sex on iron status in MS individuals. Patients and methods: Fifty individuals (30 males and 20 females) had at least 3 criteria of metabolic syndrome according to WHO criteria, and other fifty apparently healthy individuals (30 males and 20 females) considered to be control group. Fasting blood samples were taken from the patient and control groups and analysed for serum iron, ferritin, glucose and triglycerides. Results: Serum iron, serum ferritin, glucose, triglycerides and saturation % showed significant increase in MS individuals (p < 0.05) than control individuals, while serum HDL-C showed significant decrease in MS than in control (p < 0.05). Serum ferritin showed a significant increase in male individuals with MS than in female individuals (p

Iron Metabolism in a Rodent Model of Menkes Disease (Brindled Mice)

The Menkes copper‐transporting ATPase (Atp7a) is induced in the rodent duodenum during iron deficiency. To understand its role in intestinal iron metabolism, we thus initiated an investigation in Atp7a mutant mice (Brindled). As mutant mice die perinatally of severe copper deficiency, IP copper injections were administered at 7 and 9 days‐of‐age. Mice developed normally thereafter and were similar in size and activity level to wt littermates. Subsequently, mice were deprived of dietary iron for 3 wks and iron and copper homeostasis was studied. Several important observations arose from these analyses, including: 1) mutant mice on control diet were copper deficient and anemic with no changes in iron status; 2) mutant mice on iron‐deficient diet were iron and copper deficient and more significantly anemic; 3) the transcriptional response to iron deficiency in enterocytes was seen only in mutant mice on low Fe diet, suggesting that the HIF2α‐mediated induction of iron and copper homeostasis‐related genes is triggered by iron levels and not hypoxia per se; and 4) Brindled mice had increased hepatic copper levels during iron deprivation, leading to a concomitant increase in serum ferroxidase activity, while no such changes were noted in control or low Fe wt mice. This study has thus revealed novel aspects of the iron‐copper connection and is the first to investigate iron homeostasis in a model of genetic copper deficiency.Grant Funding Source: NIH

Beneficial Effects of Green Tea Consumption in Parkinson's Disease Patients

Antioxidants may offer protection by reducing oxidative stress associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). The objective of this study was to assess the beneficial effect of green tea (3 cups) consumption for 3 months in enhancing antioxidant status, reducing oxidative damage, and improving quality of life of PD patients. Fourteen subjects (51–79 y) who were within first five years of PD onset, on stable medication and not regular green tea consumers were recruited. PD rating scales, antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress markers, and iron status were assessed at baseline and after 3 months. Among the PD rating scales, we found an increase in Mini‐Mental State Examination (p&lt;0.05) and a decrease in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scores (p&lt;0.05) after the intervention, suggesting an improvement in cognitive and PD symptoms. Compared to baseline, activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase were increased significantly (28%, p&lt;0.05 and 37%, p=0.0025, respectively) but not glutathione peroxidase. A significant, 52% reduction in both lipid peroxidation (p&lt;0.0001) and protein carbonyls (p=0.0004) was found after intervention. No changes in iron status were found. In conclusion, green tea consumption may be beneficial in reducing oxidative stress in PD patients and may offer protection against progression of the disease.

Exercise-Induced Changes in Iron Status and Hepcidin Response in Female Runners

Background and AimsExercise-induced iron deficiency is a common finding in endurance athletes. It has been suggested recently that hepcidin may be an important mediator in this process.ObjectiveTo determine hepcidin levels and markers of iron status during long-term exercise training in female runners with depleted and normal iron stores.MethodsFourteen runners were divided into two groups according to iron status. Blood samples were taken during a period of eight weeks at baseline, after training and after ten days’ recovery phase.ResultsOf 14 runners, 7 were iron deficient at baseline and 10 after training. Hepcidin was lower at recovery compared with baseline (p<0.05). The mean cell haemoglobin content, haemoglobin content per reticulocyte and total iron binding capacity all decreased, whereas soluble transferrin receptor and hypochromic red cells increased after training and recovery (p<0.05 for all).ConclusionThe prevalence of depleted iron stores was 71% at the end of the training phase. Hepcidin and iron stores decreased during long-term running training and did not recover after ten days, regardless of baseline iron status.

Heterogeneity of Iron Status and Antiretroviral Therapy during Pregnancy in C&amp;#244;te d and #8217;Ivoire

Antiretroviral therapy for decades is the appropriate treatment for infected populations with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, it is associated with complications that affect the organism infected. The combination of antiretroviral therapy and pregnancy degrades iron metabolism. This work aims to evaluate and characterize the impact of the interaction between antiretroviral therapy and different stages of pregnancy in women of Abidjan on all biological indicators of iron status. The conducted investigations were a prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive analytical and case-control study. They concerned 275 women of reproductive age in all trimesters of pregnancy and in consultation to integrated center for Bioclinical research of Abidjan (ICBRA). These women were divided into two groups: 135 pregnant women infected with HIV without antiretroviral therapy as controls and 140 pregnant women infected with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy. All biological indicators of iron metabolism were determined either by colorimetric or immunoturbidimetric assays through blood samples from each pregnant woman or by calculation. The results of the study showed an extreme degradation in all evaluation of iron metabolism biological indicators assessment in all pregnant women. Analyzes of these biological parameters revealed that pregnant women with HIV and receiving treatment showed a significant alteration of their iron status (92 %) against 62.9 % in control pregnant women. However, latter have indicated a strong immunodepression towards the end of pregnancy with 40 % against 28 % among women on antiretroviral therapy. In addition, control subjects in early pregnancy reported a high rate of inflammatory anaemia associated with iron deficiency (30 % against 0 %) to critical stage (stage C) of HIV infection progression. The interaction between antiretroviral therapy and pregnancy disrupted iron metabolism in pregnant women infected with HIV. This deterioration is greater in infected pregnant women without antiretroviral therapy. The probable reasons for these changes in iron status of pregnant women infected with HIV in Abidjan are pregnancy and antiretroviral medication.