Tissue iron content in riboflavin and pyridoxine deficient rats.

The effect of riboflavin and (or) pyridoxine deficiency and repletion on tissue iron content was studied in rats. The iron content in liver, spleen, and kidney and plasma iron concentration of riboflavin deficient (RD) rats was lower, but hematocrit was not. In pyridoxine deficient (PD) rats versus control rats, the iron content in liver was significantly higher but not in spleen and kidney. In PD rats hematocrit was lower but plasma iron concentration was not. Although combined riboflavin and pyridoxine deficient (CD) rats had lower iron content in liver and spleen compared with control rats, these values were intermediate between those of RD rats and PD rats. After RD and PD rats were repleted, the iron content in liver, spleen, and kidney returned to that of control rats, and the hematological indices were improved significantly. These results suggest that riboflavin and pyridoxine deficiency may impair the absorption and utilization of iron and may result in altered tissue iron content.