Influence of Transferrin Saturation on the Effect of Intraluminal Fructose or Histidine on Iron Absorption. ∗

Abstract

Summary

The influence of transferrin saturation on the enhancement of iron absorption by intraluminal histidine or intraluminal fructose was studied in rats. A loop of lumen immediately distal to the pylorus was perfused in vivo with a solution containing Fe⁵⁹. The greatest amount of Fe⁵⁹ absorption was noted when the perfusate was supplemented with histidine or with fructose. When the perfusate in the intestinal lumen was not supplemented, or when it was supplemented with histidine, increase in transferrin saturation did not influence the iron absorption in each instance. However, when the perfusate contained fructose, the transferrin saturation had a lessening effect on the amount of iron absorbed. Histidine supplement to the perfusate caused a rapid transit of iron across the intestinal mucosa, since there was significantly less iron retained in the mucosa in the face of a high level of iron absorption.