Metabolic changes and thyroid hormones profile in iron deficient rats

Abstract EN

Iron deficiency is a major nutritional problem.lt may exert numerous haematologic and metabolic consequences that nearly simulate those that occure in diabetes mellitus.

In addition, it may produce endocrine changes e.g.; abnormal thyroid hormones metabolism.

Twenty eight male albino rats were used distributed equally into two groups: iron deficient group (I D) and iron sufficient control group .

The duration of the experiment was 6 weeks.

This study revealed that nutritional iron deficiency produced significant reduction of packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin content (Hb) associated with significant hyperglycemia and increased glucose uptake by peripheral tissues (diaphragm).

Also, iron deficiency caused marked reduction of plasma thyroid hormones level(T3&T4) associated with altered plasma lipoproteins profile such as marked increase in plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C and atherogenic index as well as reduction of HDL-C compared to iron sufficient controls.

It can be concluded that, iron deficiency is a direct risk factor for the development of metabolic and thyroid function perturbances.

This risk is primarily due to iron deficiency per se and/or anemia.

So, prevention and treatment of iron deficiency is recommended to minimize these pertubances.