Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of iron deficiency anemia on lipid metabolism in male Wistar rats. Iron deficiency anemia was induced by supplying a diet containing approximately 1.85 ppm Fe. Control diet was supplemented with approximately 358 ppm Fe in the form of ferric citrate. Twenty-four rats were randomly separated into two groups; an iron deficient group and a control diet group.
The body weight and daily diet intake of the iron deficient group were significantly lower than those of the control diet group. The hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit level were significantly less in the iron deficient group. Serum total protein, HDL cholesterol and the activities of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and citrate synthase (CS) in the iron deficient group were significantly less than those in the control diet group. Atrophy in hepatocellular and lipid accumulation in the liver were observed in the iron deficient group.
We conclude that the inhibited synthesis of very low density lipoprotein resulted from the decreased protein and the suppressed oxidative phosphorylation due to less activities of SDH and CS contribute to lipid accumulation in the liver.
