A Porcine-Derived Heme Iron Powder Restores Hemoglobin in Anemic Rats.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVES

Iron-fortified foods reduce the incidence of iron deficiency anemia. However, the nutritional efficacy of heme iron fortificants is unclear.

METHODS

In this study, we determined the hemoglobin regeneration efficiency (HRE) of a porcine-derived heme iron powder (HIP), treating anemic rats (hemoglobin (Hb) 3-6 g/dL) with 14-day repletion diets fortified with four different concentrations (12, 24, 36, or 48 mg iron/kg diets) of HIP or a control diet ("no added iron"); n = 9-12/group.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrate an inverse association between HRE and increasing dietary iron from the HIP. The HRE ratios of diets containing the HIP powder at 12, 24, 36, or 48 mg iron/kg were 0.508, 0.268, 0.273, and 0.223, respectively. Based on the mean final Hb values at 14 d, the HRE ratio of the 12 mg iron/kg diet was significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) compared to the other HIP diet groups; however, only the HIP provided in the 36 and 48 mg iron/kg diets restored hemoglobin to high enough levels (mean Hb > 6 g/dL) to correct anemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show that HIP at each of the concentrations tested increased Hb; moreover, when present at higher concentrations in the diet, the HIP is capable of restoring hemoglobin to resolve iron deficiency anemia.