Iron deficiency, but not anemia, is identified in naturally occurring obesity and insulin resistance in male nonhuman primates.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To understand the development of iron deficiency in obesity and its long-term impact on the profile of anemia in spontaneously obese nonhuman primates.

METHODS:

The study included 69 adult male nonhuman primates, (NHPs, Macaca mulatta, rhesus monkeys), ranging from normal to obese, and type 2 diabetes (T2D) as defined for humans.

RESULTS:

Iron deficiency was present in 31.9% and mild anemia in 13% of the rhesus monkey in the colony. Serum iron levels were significantly lower in obese (p < .01) and T2D (p < .01)) compared with normal NHP. Obese NHPs also had significantly higher hemoglobin (p < .05), and red blood cell count (p < .05) than normal weight NHPs, thus not related to anemia.

CONCLUSIONS:

Iron deficiency with increased hemoglobin and red blood cells was significantly associated with increased adiposity, insulin resistance, and diabetes. Iron deficiency does not cause and is not related to anemia in obese and T2D NHPs.

• Authors: Uddhav K Chaudhari, Jennifer D Newcomb, K-L Catherine Jen, Barbara C Hansen
• Journal: Journal of medical primatology (J Med Primatol) Vol. 51 Issue 3 Pg. 165-171 (06 2022) ISSN: 1600-0684 [Electronic] Denmark
• PMID: 35229310 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: © 2022 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Chemical References

• Hemoglobins

Topics

• Anemia (etiology, veterinary)
• Animals
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (complications, veterinary)
• Hemoglobins
• Insulin Resistance
• Iron Deficiencies
• Macaca mulatta
• Male
• Obesity (complications, veterinary)