In experiments 1 and 2, effect of ingestion of
maltobionic acid calcium salt (
MBCa) on recovery of rats from a
latent iron deficiency and from
iron deficiency anemia was examined, respectively. After grouping rats into control and
iron-deficiency groups, a
latent iron deficiency or
iron-deficiency anemia was induced in the latter group. And recovery from these states by
MBCa containing diets (0%, 3%, and 6%
MBCa in diet, classified into
MBCa-0,
MBCa-3, and
MBCa-6 groups) was compared for
convalescence period in light of
iron sufficient control group. In experiment 1,
MBCa ingestion significantly increased the
iron concentration in the serum and liver, and promoted recovery from a
latent iron deficiency. In experiment 2,
hemoglobin and hematocrit levels increased significantly with
MBCa intake, and recovery from
iron-deficiency anemia was promoted.
MBCa effectively promoted the recovery of rats from a subclinical
iron deficiency and
iron-deficiency anemia.Abbreviations: ANOVA: analysis of variance; DMT1: divalent
metal transporter 1;
EDTA-2Na: disodium
salt of
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; Fpn: feroportin; Hb:
hemoglobin; Ht: hematocrit; ICP-OES: inductivity coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer;
MBCa:
maltobionic acid calcium salt; nitroso-PSAP: 2-nitroso-5-[N-n-propyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)amino]
phenol; SE: standard error; SI: serum-
iron concentration; TSAT:
transferrin saturation; TIBC: total
iron-binding capacity; UIBC: unsaturated
iron-binding capacity.