Abstract:This study analyzed the effects of squid ink melanin-Fe(SM-Fe) on IDA in rats. Fiftysix weanling Sprague-Dawley male rats were used,and 48 rats were fed an iron-deficient diet for 4 weeks. Then,SM-Fe(dosage of iron 6 mg/kg BW,12 mg/kg BW and 18 mg/kg BW) were given to the IDA rats once a day for 3 weeks by intragastric administration,with FeCl3 and FeSO4(dosage of iron 6 mg/kg BW) as positive controls. The IDA model group and the control groups were given distilled deionized water per day for 3 weeks. The content of hemoglobin(Hb),serum iron(SI),total iron binding capacity(TIBC),serum ferritin(SF),transferrin receptor(sTfR),erythropoietin(EPO),and iron contents in liver and spleen were measured. The results showed that the content of Hb,SI,SF,EPO,and iron contents in liver and spleen were significantly increased in the iron supplement groups(SM-Fe,FeCl3and FeSO4) compared with the model group(P<0.05),while TIBC and sTfR were significantly decreased in the iron supplement groups compared with the model group(P <0.05). In comparison with the FeCl3and FeSO4groups,higher bioavailability of iron and fewer side effects were observed in the SM-Fe group. The present study indicated that SM-Fe is an effective source of iron supplementation for IDA rats and might be exploited as a new iron fortifier.
