A proposed intestinal mechanism for the effect of riboflavin deficiency on iron loss in the rat

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Abstract
The effect of riboflavin deficiency on gastrointestinal Fe distribution and loss was studied in weanling rats. Riboflavin deficiency was associated with a significant increase in crypt depth in the upper and mid small intestine and a twofold increase in the rate of crypt cell production compared with weight-matched andad lih.-fed control rats. The rate of loss of endogenous Fe, measured as faecal59Fe after intraperitoneally administered59Fe, was twice that from riboflavin-deficient rats compared with weightmatched controls. We suggest that while there may be a contribution from turnover of enterocytes with an enhanced Fe content, enhanced Fe loss associated with riboflavin deficiency is due predominantly to an accelerated rate of small-intestinal epithelial turnover.
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