Effect of Latent Iron Deficiency on 5‐Hydroxytryptamine Metabolism in Rat Brain

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Abstract
Eight weeks of latent iron deficiency in weaned rats maintained on an experimental low iron content diet (18–20 mg/kg) did not significantly alter the packed cell volume and hemoglobin concentration; however, the hepatic and brain nonheme iron contents decreased by 66% and 21% (p < 0.001), respectively. The tryptophan concentration decreased by 31% and 34% in liver and brain, respectively, in rats on experimental diet (p < 0.01). The brain 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid contents were reduced by 21% and 23% (p < 0.01 and p < 0.02), respectively. However, in the brain, weight, protein, DNA, and the activities of monoamine oxidase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, and liver tryptophan oxygenase were found to remain unaltered. When rehabilitated with a diet containing 390 mg/kg iron, rats previously maintained on the experimental diet for 2 weeks showed partial recovery in tryptophan levels both in liver and brain. However, brain 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels remained unaltered. The hepatic iron content improved without any change in brain iron content. The latent iron deficiency produced significant alterations in the metabolism of 5-hydroxytryptamine and brain iron content that could not be recovered 2 weeks after the iron rehabilitation.