THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PLASMA IRON AND PLASMA IRON TURNOVER IN THE RAT

Google Scholar
  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 57  (2) , 239-242
Abstract
Plasma Fe turnover was evaluated in the growing rat. Consistent data were obtained with the i.v. injection of radioiron in the form of ferrous sulfate or ferric citrate. Plasma Fe turnover changed as a function of plasma Fe concentration. Part of this effect in the rat was due to the different rates of clearance of mono- and diferric transferrin, the latter having a higher Fe delivery rate in vivo. An additional effect was related to the rate of red cell production. With decreased production, the effect of plasma iron on plasma Fe turnover was reduced, whereas with increased erythropoiesis there was an additional increment in plasma Fe turnover for any increase in plasma Fe. Since this effect was observed when increased Fe demands were due to an increase in erythroid precursors in the marrow but not in the circulating blood, it is attributed to limitations in Fe flow to the marrow. Erythroid marrow activity and the adequacy of Fe supply when studied by ferrokinetic techniques can best be defined by the response curve relating plasma Fe concentration to plasma Fe turnover.