Elsevier

Pathology

Volume 7, Issue 1, 1975, Pages 35-44
Pathology

Small intestinal malabsorption of vitamin B12 in iron-deficient rats

https://doi.org/10.3109/00313027509073768Get rights and content

Summary

Rats were rendered iron deficient by a combination of diet and bleeding to study its effects on vitamin B12 absorption. Small intestinal loops were isolated in vivo and the absorption of 57Co-vitamin B12 bound to a known quantity of intrinsic factor was measured. Iron deficiency resulted in the impairment of both uptake and transport of B12. This malabsorption was corrected within 5 days by parenteral iron repletion. The findings were not due to a non-specific effect of anaemia since no correlation existed between haemoglobin levels and B12 absorption in rats anaemic as a result of acute blood loss. No evidence was found for an altered small-intestinal microflora, bacterial counts being similar in iron-deficient and control rats. It is concluded that iron deficiency in the rat results in impaired absorption of B12 by the small intestine, probably as a result of some defect produced in the enterocyte.

References (27)

  • R. Carmel et al.

    Correctable intestinal defect of vitamin B12 absorption in pernicious anemia

    Ann. intern. Med

    (1967)
  • J.V. Dacie et al.

    Practical Haematology

    (1970)
  • P.R. Dallman et al.

    The effects of iron deficiency on the hepatocyte: a biochemical and ultrastructural study

    J. Cell Biol

    (1971)
  • Cited by (3)

    • The activity of tissue enzymes in iron-deficient rat and man: An overview

      1984, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology -- Part B: Biochemistry and
    • Cerebral function in iron deficiency: a review

      1985, Child: Care, Health and Development
    • EFFECTS OF IRON DEFICIENCY EXCLUSIVE OF ANAEMIA

      1978, British Journal of Haematology
    View full text