To investigate the effect of
iron liposome supplementation, a rat model of exercise-associated
anemia was established by subjecting the animals to high-intensity running exercises for 4 weeks. Rats with confirmed
anemia were strenuously exercised for another 2 weeks while receiving
iron supplements by intragastric administration of
ferric ammonium citrate (FAC)
liposomes or
heme iron liposomes. Control groups were administered equivalent amounts of FAC,
heme iron, or blank
liposomes. Subsequently, complete blood count (CBC), serum
iron, and liver
iron levels were tested to determine the efficiency of
iron liposomes in relieving
anemia.
Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and
malonyldialdehyde (MDA) were also detected to determine potential side effects of
iron supplementation. The CBC, as well as serum
iron and liver
iron contents, significantly increased and reached much higher levels in anemic rats treated with
iron liposomes, compared with those of control groups. The increase of SOD and decrease of MDA levels were also observed after supplementation with
iron liposomes. These results demonstrate that
iron liposomes can efficiently relieve the
iron deficiency in strenuously exercised rats and may potentially be used as a supplement for the treatment of exercise-associated
iron deficiency anemia with minimal side effects.