Methods currently used to determine iron bioavailability have disadvantages for both the subjects and researchers involved. One safe and simple method that needs further evaluation, the serum iron absorption method, involves an initial blood drawing, dosage s of iron, and blood drawings taken at intervals thereafter. Generally, the rise in serum iron or area under the curve is used to determine iron uptake. Two experiments were conducted using the serum iron absorption method in an effort to improve the utility of this method for the measurement of iron bioavailability. With this effort in mind, an equation adjusting for dose of iron (0.5-8 mg) and blood volume was used to estimate serum iron absorption and allow for adequate comparisons of other iron absorption data obtained with this method and others. One very significant result was that low serum ferritin was found to be a predictor of high serum estimated iron absorption (SEIA). Similarly, low serum ferritin levels were also highly correlated to iron absorption when radioiron methods were used. In Experiment I, college-aged women (n=11) with low serum ferritin levels (average 11 ng/ml) participated in four serum iron trials in which four iron sources were used as iron dosages. Ferrous sulfate in orange juice (2.2 mg iron), ground beef (0.62 mg iron), cereal (6.6 mg iron), and ground beef and cereal together (3.6 mg iron) were used. Comparisons were made between the results obtained using this serum iron absorption data and other radioiron absorption data for similar iron sources, and the results were quite similar to iron absorption levels reported in the literature. In Experiment I, the ferrous sulfate (40%) and ground beef treatments (46%) had the highest serum estimated iron absorption (SEIA) and the cereal/ground beef (5%) and cereal treatments (3%) had significantly less. Experiment II involved 28 college-aged women who participated in four serum iron absorption trials. For these four trials the iron dose was the same (2 mg iron as ferrous sulfate in orange juice). However, pre-trial supplements containing either (1) 30 mg iron, 60 mg ascorbic acid, (2) 30 mg iron, no ascorbic acid, (3) no iron, 60 mg ascorbic acid, or (4) a placebo were given (one per day) on each of the three days prior to the weekly serum iron absorption trials. During each pre-trial supplementation period, three daily diet records were kept by subjects to determine if the previous intake of nutrients (from food or pre-trial supplements) influenced the outcome of the serum iron absorption trial. Pre-trial supplementation of 30 mg iron, no ascorbic acid caused a significantly lower SEIA. Dietary nutrients did not cause a significant effect on SEIA. Mean SEIA following combined iron supplements was lower (p=0.081) 16% vs. 23% following non-iron containing supplements. For this experiment, the SEIA was higher in subjects with low serum ferritin (20 ng/ml).

Honey is a naturally sweet substance produced by honeybees from water, pollen, and nectar. Due to its unique nutritional and therapeutic benefits, which are ascribed to the interaction of the various chemical groups it contains, natural honey is one of the most popular consumed products. Modern-day individuals consume a lot of refined granulated sugar, either directly through foods or indirectly from other sources. The consumption of large amounts of refined granulated sugar alters hematological and physiological changes in the body. According to several scientific studies, honey can be a healthier alternative to refined granulated sugar because it does not threaten human health. Consuming natural honey raises serum iron levels and red blood cell counts since it is known that the iron in honey serves as a precursor to hemoglobin. Overconsumption of refined granulated sugar has been identified as a risk factor for metabolic disorders such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This study, therefore, investigated the effect of the golden liquid from honeybees (natural honey) and refined granulated sugar on the blood glucose and serum iron levels of 25 Wistar albino rats. The experimental animals used in this study were grouped into five treatments based on the dose of natural honey and refined granulated sugar administered namely: T1 (1.02 g of honey /kg BW), T2 (1.40g of honey /kg BW), T3 (1.02 g of refined granulated sugar /kg BW), T4 (1.40g of refined granulated sugar /kg BW), rats in T5 were not administered honey, and refined granulated sugar served as the control. The blood glucose concentration of the albino rats was measured using the glucose strips with a glucometer while the serum iron analysis was conducted using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The result revealed that the mean blood glucose level of the rats was highest in T3 (112.95mg/dl), followed by T5 (92.20mg/dl) while the least value was recorded in T2 (74.86mg/dl). There was a significant difference in the blood glucose levels of albino rats orally administered natural honey and refined granulated sugar at varying levels (P0.05) among treatments. It was found that the highest serum iron level was recorded in T5 (1.31±0.395 ppm) followed by T2 (1.22± 0.115 ppm), while the least serum iron level was recorded in T1 (0.88±1.319ppm). It was observed that there were no significant differences in the serum iron levels of the albino rats (p>0.05) among treatments The use of natural honey is recommended since albino rats orally administered honey at varying doses had lower blood glucose levels than those given refined granulated sugar. This work will be a useful tool for understanding the role of honey over granulated sugars, especially among prediabetic and diabetic patients in order to control their sugar levels using diet as a source. This implies that the consumption of natural honey did not significantly increase blood glucose levels. It was therefore recommended that physicians and dietitians should advocate for natural honey use over refined granulated sugar which could be safe for consumption by diabetic patients.

Over 2 million adult men in the United States have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, with nearly 200,000 new diagnoses each year. This type of cancer is the leading cause of mortality in U.S. men. One possible risk factor for prostate cancer is a high level of iron in the body, but the association has yet to be confirmed. This study was an investigation of the relationship between serum iron concentration and prostate cancer using data obtained from the 2009-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. This quantitative study involved 1,850 men in the U.S. aged 51 to 70 years. The framework for this research was based on the exposure-disease model. Participants' data were analyzed using chi-squared independence tests and hierarchical logistic regression, while controlling for demographic variables (body mass index, age, ethnicity, poverty-to-income ratio, educational attainment, and hours worked in the last week) to account for potential confounding effects. Serum iron concentration was not found to be significantly associated with prostate cancer diagnosis in this sample. Additional results indicated a significant association between age and prostate cancer, and between ethnicity and prostate cancer, confirming previous research findings. This study contributes to positive social change by confirming the importance of screening for prostate cancer among high-risk populations and by suggesting that it is premature to use serum iron concentration as a screening tool to detect prostate cancer.

A zinco protoporfirina (ZPP) eritrocitária é um metabólito formado pela adição do zinco no sítio do ferro durante a formação da molécula de hemoglobina, quando este último está total ou parcialmente indisponível. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a padronização dos valores da ZPP eritrocitária em bezerros sadios com até um mês de vida, assim como a validade da ZPP como previsora da ocorrência de anemia ferropriva em bezerros neonatos, em comparação com outros métodos. Para tanto foram utilizados 134 bezerros da raça Holandesa, com idades variando do nascimento até 30 dias de vida, provenientes de fazendas produtoras de leite localizadas no Estado de São Paulo, classificados como sadios (67 animais) e anêmicos (67 animais). Os animais foram monitorados por meio de exames físico e complementares (hemograma e reticulocitometria, teores de ferro sérico (FT) e capacidade total de ligação do ferro (CTLF), teores de bilirrubinas e de uréia séricas, e concentrações da ZPP). Durante a padronização do exame, os valores médios encontrados foram: concentração de ZPP eritrocitária das amostras de hemácias não lavadas em até 3 horas após a colheita de sangue de 30 animais sadios - 80,90 &#181;mol ZPP/mol heme; concentração de ZPP eritrocitária, após a lavagem de hemácias, determinadas até 3 horas e 12 horas após colheita de sangue do mesmo grupo - 61,40 &#181;mol ZPP/mol heme e 61,03 &#181;mol ZPP/mol heme, respectivamente. Com base nos resultados obtidos, foi possível concluir que as amostras de sangue colhidas para a mensuração da ZPP podem ser armazenadas, sob refrigeração a 4°C, por até 12 horas após a colheita, sem alterações significativas dos seus valores, sendo recomendável a lavagem das hemácias antes da mensuração dos valores da ZPP eritrocitária devido à presença de substâncias interferentes no plasma do animal. Foi encontrada diferença significativa nas concentrações da ZPP e de todos os componentes do eritrograma, assim como nos teores do metabolismo de ferro entre os animais anêmicos e sadios. As concentrações de bilirrubinas e ureia séricas apresentaram-se no intervalo fisiológico de variação, não interferindo na mensuração da ZPP nos eritrócitos dos bezerros com ou sem anemia. A correlação entre os valores encontrados dos teores de ferro sérico e da capacidade total de ligação do ferro com as concentrações de ZPP foram: rs = - 0,45, p < 0,001 (ZPP x FT) e rs = 0,51, p < 0,001 (ZPP x CTLF), respectivamente, demonstrando que quanto menores os teores de ferro, maiores serão as concentrações de ZPP. Portanto, a utilização da ZPP como previsora dos quadros de anemia ferropriva em bezerros neonatos com até um mês de vida se mostrou válida e, considerando que a hematofluorometria é um método rápido e não oneroso, pode ser recomendado como exame complementar de rotina. / The zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) is a metabolic originated by zinc addition in the iron site during the synthesis of hemoglobin molecule, when iron is total or partially unavailable. The aim of this study was to standardize the values of zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) in erythrocyte of healthy calves until one month of life, and to evaluate this determination as a predictor of the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia in newborn calves, compared with other methods. Therefore, 134 Holstein calves were used, aged from birth to 30 days of life, from dairy farms located in the São Paulo State, splitted into two groups, classified as healthies (67 animals), and anemics (67 animals). The animals were monitored by physical examination and laboratory assessments (complete blood cell count and reticulocytes, serum iron (SI) and total iron binding capacity (TIBC), levels of serum bilirubin and urea, and ZPP levels). During the exam standardization, the mean values found were: erythrocyte ZPP of unwashed erythrocytes within 3 hours after blood sampling of 30 healthy animals - 80.9 &#181;mol ZPP/mol heme; erythrocyte ZPP after washing of red blood cells, determined by 3 hours and 12 hours after blood collection, from the same group were 61.40 &#181;mol ZPP/mol heme and 61.03 &#181;mol ZPP/mol heme, respectively. Based on these results, it was concluded that blood samples taken for measurement of ZPP may be stored under refrigeration at 4 °C for up to 12 hours, without significant changes of the values of erythrocyte ZPP, and it is also advisable to wash the red cells before erythrocyte ZPP values measuring, due to the presence of interfering substances in the animal plasma. A significant difference was found in the ZPP levels and in all erythrogram components, as well as on the levels of iron metabolism between anemic and healthy animals. The bilirubin and serum urea levels remained within physiological variation, does not interfering with the measurement of erythrocyte ZPP of calves with or without anemia. The correlation values between SI and TIBC with ZPP levels were: rs = - 0.45, p < 0.001 (ZPP x SI) and rs = 0.51, p < 0.001 (ZPP x TIBC), respectively, i.e. decreasing biochemical levels of iron metabolism will increase levels of ZPP. Therefore, the use of ZPP as an iron deficiency anemia predictor in newborn calves up to one month of life has proven its validity, and considering hematofluorometry as a quick and inexpensive method, it might be recommended as a routine exam.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Background: Clinical studies have shown that tea consumption leads to decreased iron absorption. This finding is however, not supported by epidemiological studies, where no relationship between an increased tea consumption and a lower iron status in a population at risk of iron depletion has been found. Objectives: The main aim of this study was to compare the effects of black tea and Rooibos consumption on the iron status of primary school children in a rural setting in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Methods: One hundred and seventy five children, aged six to fifteen years, participated in this single blind, randomised, parallel intervention trial. Subjects were randomly allocated to receive two 200ml servings of either black tea or Rooibos with milk and sugar. These beverages were consumed during breaks and at the same time as the food h m the school-feeding scheme. The trial proceeded for sixteen weeks. The children received antihelminthic treatment (500mg mebendazole) at baseline. Haemoglobii haematocrit, serum iron, ferritin and transferfin were measured and total iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation were calculated. Trained fieldworkers measured dietary intakes by means of 24-hour dietary recalls and anthropometrists took anthropometric measurements. All the above mentioned data were gathered at the beginning and at the end of the intervention period. Results: Measurements indicated a study population that is malnourished in terms of anthropometrical indices and nutrient intakes. Biochemical markers of iron status also indicated that the population could be at risk of iron depletion. Changes in red blood cell count, haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), serum iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation, ferritin and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Mean red blood cell count, haematocrit, MCV, transferrin and TIBC increased significantly h m baseline to end in both groups (all p<0.0001) and MCH decreased significantly (p<.0001). Mean haemoglobin increased significantly with black tea consumption (p=0.002), although not with the consumption of Rooibos (p=0.073). Conclusion: Black tea or Rooibos consumption has similar effects on the iron status of primary school children. Iron status was not compromised by black tea in comparison with Rooibos. This questions the proposed limitation of black tea consumption as a public health strategy in order to combat iron deficiency in a population with marginal iron status. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Background: Clinical studies have shown that tea consumption leads to decreased iron absorption. This finding is however, not supported by epidemiological studies, where no relationship between an increased tea consumption and a lower iron status in a population at risk of iron depletion has been found. Objectives: The main aim of this study was to compare the effects of black tea and Rooibos consumption on the iron status of primary school children in a rural setting in Potchefstroom, South Africa. Methods: One hundred and seventy five children, aged six to fifteen years, participated in this single blind, randomised, parallel intervention trial. Subjects were randomly allocated to receive two 200ml servings of either black tea or Rooibos with milk and sugar. These beverages were consumed during breaks and at the same time as the food h m the school-feeding scheme. The trial proceeded for sixteen weeks. The children received antihelminthic treatment (500mg mebendazole) at baseline. Haemoglobii haematocrit, serum iron, ferritin and transferfin were measured and total iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation were calculated. Trained fieldworkers measured dietary intakes by means of 24-hour dietary recalls and anthropometrists took anthropometric measurements. All the above mentioned data were gathered at the beginning and at the end of the intervention period. Results: Measurements indicated a study population that is malnourished in terms of anthropometrical indices and nutrient intakes. Biochemical markers of iron status also indicated that the population could be at risk of iron depletion. Changes in red blood cell count, haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), serum iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation, ferritin and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Mean red blood cell count, haematocrit, MCV, transferrin and TIBC increased significantly h m baseline to end in both groups (all p<0.0001) and MCH decreased significantly (p<.0001). Mean haemoglobin increased significantly with black tea consumption (p=0.002), although not with the consumption of Rooibos (p=0.073). Conclusion: Black tea or Rooibos consumption has similar effects on the iron status of primary school children. Iron status was not compromised by black tea in comparison with Rooibos. This questions the proposed limitation of black tea consumption as a public health strategy in order to combat iron deficiency in a population with marginal iron status. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Nutrition))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

A zinco protoporfirina (ZPP) eritrocitária é um metabólito formado pela adição do zinco no sítio do ferro durante a formação da molécula de hemoglobina, quando este último está total ou parcialmente indisponível. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar a padronização dos valores da ZPP eritrocitária em bezerros sadios com até um mês de vida, assim como a validade da ZPP como previsora da ocorrência de anemia ferropriva em bezerros neonatos, em comparação com outros métodos. Para tanto foram utilizados 134 bezerros da raça Holandesa, com idades variando do nascimento até 30 dias de vida, provenientes de fazendas produtoras de leite localizadas no Estado de São Paulo, classificados como sadios (67 animais) e anêmicos (67 animais). Os animais foram monitorados por meio de exames físico e complementares (hemograma e reticulocitometria, teores de ferro sérico (FT) e capacidade total de ligação do ferro (CTLF), teores de bilirrubinas e de uréia séricas, e concentrações da ZPP). Durante a padronização do exame, os valores médios encontrados foram: concentração de ZPP eritrocitária das amostras de hemácias não lavadas em até 3 horas após a colheita de sangue de 30 animais sadios - 80,90 &#181;mol ZPP/mol heme; concentração de ZPP eritrocitária, após a lavagem de hemácias, determinadas até 3 horas e 12 horas após colheita de sangue do mesmo grupo - 61,40 &#181;mol ZPP/mol heme e 61,03 &#181;mol ZPP/mol heme, respectivamente. Com base nos resultados obtidos, foi possível concluir que as amostras de sangue colhidas para a mensuração da ZPP podem ser armazenadas, sob refrigeração a 4°C, por até 12 horas após a colheita, sem alterações significativas dos seus valores, sendo recomendável a lavagem das hemácias antes da mensuração dos valores da ZPP eritrocitária devido à presença de substâncias interferentes no plasma do animal. Foi encontrada diferença significativa nas concentrações da ZPP e de todos os componentes do eritrograma, assim como nos teores do metabolismo de ferro entre os animais anêmicos e sadios. As concentrações de bilirrubinas e ureia séricas apresentaram-se no intervalo fisiológico de variação, não interferindo na mensuração da ZPP nos eritrócitos dos bezerros com ou sem anemia. A correlação entre os valores encontrados dos teores de ferro sérico e da capacidade total de ligação do ferro com as concentrações de ZPP foram: rs = - 0,45, p < 0,001 (ZPP x FT) e rs = 0,51, p < 0,001 (ZPP x CTLF), respectivamente, demonstrando que quanto menores os teores de ferro, maiores serão as concentrações de ZPP. Portanto, a utilização da ZPP como previsora dos quadros de anemia ferropriva em bezerros neonatos com até um mês de vida se mostrou válida e, considerando que a hematofluorometria é um método rápido e não oneroso, pode ser recomendado como exame complementar de rotina. / The zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) is a metabolic originated by zinc addition in the iron site during the synthesis of hemoglobin molecule, when iron is total or partially unavailable. The aim of this study was to standardize the values of zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) in erythrocyte of healthy calves until one month of life, and to evaluate this determination as a predictor of the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia in newborn calves, compared with other methods. Therefore, 134 Holstein calves were used, aged from birth to 30 days of life, from dairy farms located in the São Paulo State, splitted into two groups, classified as healthies (67 animals), and anemics (67 animals). The animals were monitored by physical examination and laboratory assessments (complete blood cell count and reticulocytes, serum iron (SI) and total iron binding capacity (TIBC), levels of serum bilirubin and urea, and ZPP levels). During the exam standardization, the mean values found were: erythrocyte ZPP of unwashed erythrocytes within 3 hours after blood sampling of 30 healthy animals - 80.9 &#181;mol ZPP/mol heme; erythrocyte ZPP after washing of red blood cells, determined by 3 hours and 12 hours after blood collection, from the same group were 61.40 &#181;mol ZPP/mol heme and 61.03 &#181;mol ZPP/mol heme, respectively. Based on these results, it was concluded that blood samples taken for measurement of ZPP may be stored under refrigeration at 4 °C for up to 12 hours, without significant changes of the values of erythrocyte ZPP, and it is also advisable to wash the red cells before erythrocyte ZPP values measuring, due to the presence of interfering substances in the animal plasma. A significant difference was found in the ZPP levels and in all erythrogram components, as well as on the levels of iron metabolism between anemic and healthy animals. The bilirubin and serum urea levels remained within physiological variation, does not interfering with the measurement of erythrocyte ZPP of calves with or without anemia. The correlation values between SI and TIBC with ZPP levels were: rs = - 0.45, p < 0.001 (ZPP x SI) and rs = 0.51, p < 0.001 (ZPP x TIBC), respectively, i.e. decreasing biochemical levels of iron metabolism will increase levels of ZPP. Therefore, the use of ZPP as an iron deficiency anemia predictor in newborn calves up to one month of life has proven its validity, and considering hematofluorometry as a quick and inexpensive method, it might be recommended as a routine exam.