Nutrient interrelationship of ascorbic acid and iron in rats and guinea pigs fed cereal diets
Majumder, A.K.; Nandi, B.K.; Subramanian, N.; Chatterjee, I.B.
Journal of Nutrition 105(2): 240-244
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3166 PMID: 1113203 Document Number: 95526
In young male rats on diets of unfortified whole wheat flour and whole rice flour, growth decreased when they were given Fe by mouth, 5 mg daily. In young male guineapigs treated similarly growth decreased and mortality was high. The apparent toxicity of Fe was not evident when wheat flour was fortified with 15% casein. In guineapigs given ascorbic acid 5 mg/100 g bodyweight daily with the Fe, the toxic effect was counteracted and utilisation of Fe increased, as evidenced by increased Hb and serum Fe values and a decrease in the Fe content of spleen. In rats, administration of Fe decreased ascorbic acid synthesis; lower ascorbic acid levels in urine, blood and other tissues indicated that Fe increased ascorbic acid utilisation.