Iron deficiency reduces cytochrome concentrations of mitochondria isolated from hamster cheek pouch epithelium

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Abstract
The effects of iron deficiency on the aerobic pathway of energy metabolism were studied using mitochondria isolated from epithelial cells from the hamster cheek pouch. A statistically significant reduction in the concentration of cytochromes aa3, b and c (P < 0.05), a reduction (P = 0.064) in cytochrome c1 and altered cytochrome ratios were found in the mitochondria of iron deficient compared to normal animals. State 4 respiration was demonstrated in the mitochondria of both normal and iron deficient animals but state 3 respiration could not be demonstrated; this suggests uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation which may be an artefact associated with separation of epithelium from its connective tissue. Nevertheless we conclude that the reduction in cytochrome concentrations is a real effect of iron deficiency which may explain, at least in part, the reduction of both energy production and cell proliferation seen in oral epithelia under these conditions.