The Effects of Acute Protein Depletion on the Distribution of Radioiron in Rat Tissues

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
1. The distribution of Fe59 in plasma, bone marrow, erythrocytes, liver, and spleen was determined at specified intervals after single intravenous injections of the radioisotope into normal and protein-deficient rats. 2. In normal rats, injected radioiron followed the usual metabolic pathways; i.e., through bone marrow to erythrocytes, with small, consistent amounts to liver and spleen. 3. In protein-deficient animals normal Fe59 time-concentration relationships were disrupted completely. 4. Less iron was recovered from the tissues of protein-deficient rats than from normal animals. 5. Storage iron in liver and spleen was not conjugated with polysaccharide, even though tissue protein was seriously depleted.