Iron transport after injection of endotoxin in rats

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Abstract
The injection of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide produces a rapid decline in plasma iron concentration of normal rats. To understand the mechanism of this decrease, combinations of acetylphenylhydrazine and endotoxins were given and measurements of rates of iron transfer from Fe59-labeled damaged red blood cells to the plasma were made. Shortly after giving endotoxin there was an inhibition of the movement of iron from catabolized red blood cells to the plasma transferrin. This inhibition can be partially overcome by increasing the number of erythrocytes which are phagocytized in a given period of time. The major reason for the decrease in plasma iron after an injection of endotoxin was found to be an inhibited reutilization of iron from recently destroyed erythrocytes.