ABSORPTION AND AVAILABILITY OF IRON IN NICKEL DEFICIENCY

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 46  (1) , 96-99
Abstract
Ni deficiency leads to reduced Fe content in organs and to greatly reduced Hb levels and erythrocyte counts. Using models it was determined whether this Ni-dependent Fe anemia can be attributed to an impaired absorption of Fe or to its metabolic efficiency. An experiment with seven 30 day old rats from each of 2 generations were used. In Ni deficiency (0.015 ppm dietary Ni) Fe absorption was clearly impaired at both 50 ppm and 100 ppm Fe in the diet. Compared to the groups given 20 ppm Ni, the amount of Fe absorbed fell to 2/3 and 1/3, respectively. The influence on the metabolic efficiency of the Fe was relatively small; at high Fe supply, it was reduced by 8% in the Ni-deficient animals. The reduced levels of Hb, erythrocytes and hematocrit must essentially be caused by the impaired absorption.

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