Search

Heme is an efficient dietary iron supplement applied in humans and animals to prevent iron deficiency anemia (IDA). We have recently reported that the use of bovine hemoglobin as a dietary source of heme iron efficiently counteracts the development of IDA in young piglets, which is the common problem in pig industry. Here, we used maternal Polish Large White and terminal sire breed (L990) pigs differing in traits for meat production to evaluate the long-term effect of split supplementation with intramuscularly administered small amount of iron dextran and orally given hemoglobin on hematological indices, iron status, growth performance, slaughter traits, and meat quality at the end of fattening. Results of our study show that in pigs of both breeds split supplementation was effective in maintaining physiological values of RBC and blood plasma iron parameters as well as growth performance, carcass parameters, and meat quality traits. Our results prove the effectiveness of split iron supplementation of piglets in a far-reach perspective.

The objective of the experiment was to critically monitor the blood profile and growth performance of piglets during the lactation period after receiving various amounts of injectable iron at birth. A total of 70, newborn pigs (initial BW 1.51 ± 0.26 kg) from 7 litters were assigned to 1 of 5 iron dosage treatments on d 0. Injectable iron dosage treatments were 0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg iron from iron dextran. BW and blood samples were collected on d 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 22 (weaning) and blood was analyzed for a complete blood count (CBC). Blood was only sampled from 50 of the 70 pigs as the pigs not sampled were used for tissue collection at weaning and postweaning. Data were analyzed as repeated measures using the individual pig as the experimental unit. As early as d 1 after the injection, hemoglobin concentration (Hb) improved (linear: P < 0.05). The Hb response was both linear (P < 0.001) and quadratic (P ≤ 0.01) from d 3 through weaning at d 22. For the 50 and 100 mg iron treatments, Hb peaked at d 6, whereas Hb for the 200 and 300 mg iron treatments peaked on d 17. Other CBC measures followed a similar pattern of improvement from d 2-3 through weaning as the iron dosage increased. Average daily gain was greater (linear: P = 0.04 and quadratic: P = 0.05) from d 0 to 22 which, in turn, led to a linear improvement (P ≤ 0.05) in weaning BW. Increasing iron injection dosage at birth leads to an improved blood profile and greater ADG during the nursing period (d 0-22). The dosage provided also affects the timing and magnitude of the peak Hb response.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the blood profile, growth performance, and tissue mineral concentration during the nursery period in weanling pigs that received various dosages of iron at birth. A total of 70 crossbred pigs (weaning BW 6.36 ± 0.92) from 5 different injectable iron dosage treatments administered at birth (0, 50, 100, 200, and 300 mg iron from iron dextran) were used. Pigs were weighed at d 22 (weaning), 23, 24, 25, 29, 38, 44, and 52. Blood was collected from 10 pigs per treatment at the same times as above except for d 44 and analyzed for a complete blood count (CBC). A total of 3 pigs per treatment were euthanized on d 22, 38, and 52 to determine tissue mineral concentration. All pigs were fed a common nursery diet supplemented with 100 mg/kg Fe from ferrous sulfate. All data were subjected to ANOVA with the pig as the experimental unit. As injectable iron dosage at birth increased, hemoglobin concentration (Hb) increased at weaning (linear and quadratic: P < 0.05), to d 29 and then quadratically through (P < 0.05) d 38. Along with the other CBC measurements, Hb was similar between treatments at d 52. There was a quadratic response (P < 0.05) for ADG from d 22 to 52. Although by d 52, final BW peaked (quadratic: P < 0.05) for pigs receiving 100 mg iron. Iron concentration of the liver and spleen were greater (linear: P < 0.05) at weaning as iron injection dosage increased but was greater only in the liver at d 38 (P < 0.05) and the spleen at d 52 (P < 0.05). Results indicate that an iron injection administered shortly after birth is vital for proper growth and hematological functions during the nursery period.

This study was conducted to compare effects of dietary administration of iron dextran and bacterial-iron on growth performance, fecal microbial flora, and blood profiles in sows and their litters. A total of 20 multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allotted into two treatments: (i) ID (basal diet, piglets were injected with iron dextran); (ii) BR (basal diet + bacterial-iron; bacterial-iron was given to sows, piglets were not injected with iron dextran). There were five replicates per treatment with two sows per replicate. No differences were observed on sow and piglet growth performance, fecal microbial flora as well as sow blood profiles between ID and BR treatments. In piglets, blood iron, red blood cell and hemoglobin concentrations in ID treatment were higher (P

Thank you providing the opportunity to reply to the Comment on our recent paper.Strom and Andreasen, who are employees of Pharmacosmos, a Danish-based pharmaceuticalcompany that commercializes iron dextran and iron isomaltoside 1000, criticize our work as it cannotbe directly extrapolated to the clinical setting. However, as elucidated below, this was never thepurpose of this scientific paper.In response to Strom and Andreasen, I would like to state that, as clearly mentioned in theintroduction, the experiments described in Neiser et al. [1] were triggered by the criticism [2]of our previous work published in 2011 [3]. Specifically, the methodology (reverse single radialimmunodiffusion assay) and the use of only one specific anti-dextran antibody were criticized.Thus, the new experiments reported in [1] were carried out with a new antibody (produced by theservice provider GenScript) and a different technique (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, ELISA).Moreover, in order to make sure that the results were unbiased, the ELISA experiments were carriedout by GenScript with blinded samples.In contrast to what Strom and Andreasen stated in their Comment, the basis of this study wasthe general consensus that high molecular weight iron dextran complexes, most of which are nolonger marketed, display higher rates and generally more severe hypersensitivity reactions [4–6].Thus, it was evident to start with the investigation of the reactivity of some of the newer intravenousiron products with anti-dextran antibodies. We were not aware of the study by Kreimeier et al. [7]that reports a single clinical case of an antibody-mediated reaction to hydroxyethyl-starch (HES).Nevertheless, despite the fact that carboxymaltose is a branched starch derivative, because of theextensive substitution (hydroxyethyl) in HES, the two compounds are not comparable. Investigation ofthe reactivity of various intravenous iron preparations, and in particular ferric carboxymaltose, againstanti-HES antibodies would be of interest, but is clearly outside the scope of the work described in [1].I would also like to emphasize that in [1], as well as in all our previous publications on thistopic [3,8], we did not make any claim regarding the clinical relevance of these experiments. Conversely,we repeatedly stated that the mechanism of intravenous iron-induced hypersensitivity reactions hasnot been elucidated yet and that more studies are needed to unravel the mechanism(s). Nevertheless,it is intriguing that a number of recent studies have come to the conclusion that the frequencyof hypersensitivity reactions is higher with dextran-based intravenous iron preparations (not onlywith the old high molecular weight compounds) than with non-dextran containing products [9–12].Noteworthy, these reports are in disagreement with the paper mentioned by Strom and Andreasen [6],which, incidentally, was published online more than a month after our final draft was accepted.Taken together, these contrasting reports support the fact that, because of the low incidence of

Background Various techniques used to assess brain iron concentrations have demonstrated the presence of low iron stores in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS). Previous open-label and randomized studies generally support the value of iron treatment for RLS symptoms. Only one of these studies assessed iron therapy response to changes in brain iron status. The current study was designed to assess the effect of iron therapy on RLS symptoms and on CSF measures of brain iron status. Methods Idiopathic RLS patients drawn from the Korean population received four weekly intravenous (IV) doses of 250 mg low-molecular weight iron dextran for a total dose of 1 g. One week after the last dose, any subject on RLS medication tapered off the RLS medications. Blood and CSF samples were taken to measure iron parameters at baseline and again, three weeks after the last dose. We have been following their response to the drug for two years after treatment. Results Twenty-five patients (age 55.2 ± 9.3, 18 female) enrolled in this study without serious adverse reactions. Seventeen of the 25 patients (68%) showed moderate or complete improvement of all RLS symptoms after treatment based on the Korean-translated versions of the International RLS Severity scale (K-IRLS). Changes in the K-IRLS did not correlate significantly with changes in CSF ferritin. The response to IV iron could not be predicted by patients’ demographics, or by blood or CSF iron baseline characteristics. RLS symptom improvement started between one and six weeks after treatment and the treatment benefits lasted from one month to 22 months. Fourteen patients, (56%) completely stopped all medications, for a mean duration of 31.3 ± 33.1 weeks. These results are comparable to those from a prior study with high molecular weight dextran. Conclusions Intravenous low-molecular weight iron dextran produced significant improvement of RLS symptoms in a majority of patients without any significant adverse effects. Serious anaphylaxis occurs with high molecular weight, but rarely, if ever, with this low molecular weight dextran. Given apparent comparable efficacy the low molecular weight and not the high molecular weight iron dextran, should be considered for RLS treatment. Although changes in CSF ferritin were seen following therapy, these changes were not related to clinical improvements.

Reports of pica for uncooked rice (ryzophagia) in adults who reside in European and derivative countries are uncommon. We evaluated and treated two nonpregnant women with pica for uncooked basmati rice. Both women reported fatigue, abdominal discomfort after consuming large quantities of uncooked basmati rice, and hair loss. One woman was from India and the other was from Pakistan. Both women were vegetarians. Basmati was the local rice in their native countries and their usual rice in the USA. Both women had tooth damage due to eating uncooked rice and iron deficiency with microcytic anemia attributed to menorrhagia and multiparity. Ryzophagia and other manifestations (except tooth damage) resolved after iron dextran therapy. We review and discuss other reports of ryzophagia associated with iron deficiency, pregnancy, race/ethnicity, geographic origin, and local traditions. We conclude that adults with ryzophagia in European and derivative countries are likely to be non-Europeans.

PURPOSE: Iron overload may occur due to regular blood transfusions and high intestinal iron absorption. Currently, there is no effective drug without side effects for the treatment of iron excess in thalassemia and other iron storage diseases, except chelation therapy, which is the only safe method for iron excretion. Thus, scientists are more focused on medicinal plants rich in phytochemical compounds for the removal of iron in thalassemia. Therefore this study was managed to discover the therapeutic potential of hydro- alcoholic extract of Allium porrum and Medicago sativa for iron chelating potential. METHODS: Aerial parts of Allium porrum and Medicago sativa werecollected in Yasuj Iran. Rats were divided into seven groups each containing six. Extracts were administrated in four groups (two groups for each extract) by single doses of each plant with 200 and 400 mg / kg body weight by (i.p.) route every other day for28 days. Group 1 as negative control received saline (0.5 ml/kg) by (i.p.) route. Positive control received iron dextran 200 mg/kg body weight. Experimental groups 1 and 2 for each plant extract were fed with 200 and 400 mg/kg, hydro-alcoholic extract respectively via (i.p.) route, 1 h after the injection of iron dextran. Standard group was treated with deferoxamine (DF) 50 mg/kg by (i.p.) route1 h after the injection of iron dextran. Serum iron (SI) and serum total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were determined .The serum ferritin was then measured using enzyme immunoassay ELISA kit for rat. For Analysis of data ANOVA test was used. RESULTS: Hydro-alcoholic extract of Medicago sativa and Allium porrum at 400 mg/kg showed significant (p

To evaluate in RLS patients the efficacy and safety of repeated infusions of iron in order to maintain symptomatic improvements achieved with a prior single 1000 mg infusion of iron.Subjects who had demonstrated initial improvement in RLS symptoms after a single 1000 mg infusion of iron were evaluated monthly for serum ferritin and RLS severity. If symptoms returned at any time in the 2-year period after initial iron treatment, supplemental 450 mg iron gluconate infusions could be given, provided the ferritin was300 mcg/l. The primary outcome measures were side effect profile, duration (weeks) of sustained improvement, and rate of change of serum ferritin.Ten subjects received the initial single 1000 mg dose of iron dextran, but only five subjects were eligible to receive supplemental iron infusions. RLS symptoms returned on average 6 months after the initial 1000 mg infusion. Because of noncompliance with monthly visits one subject was dropped after receiving three supplemental iron infusions. Because of a ferritin300 mcg/l, a second subject was dropped after having received one supplemental treatment. Three subjects completed the 2-year period of the study, having received between two and four courses of supplemental iron. After the initial 1000 mg iron infusion, the ferritin declined on average 6.6 mcg/l/week, which was substantially higher than the predicted value of1 mcg/l per week. The rate of ferritin decline decreased toward normal with repeated IV iron treatments: the average rate of decline in ferritin for the last treatment course was 2.3 mcg/l/wk. The slower the rate of ferritin decline the more prolonged the symptom improvements.Supplemental iron treatments can sustain previously achieved improvements with a single IV iron treatment, but achieving high ferritin levels was not in themselves a guarantee of sustained improvements. The most notable finding was the post-infusion changes in serum ferritin and its implication for altered iron excretion.

Iron's chemical structure and its ability to initiate one-electron reactions are properties that cause it to play a major role in the production and metabolism of oxygen free radicals in biological systems. Oxygen free radicals are conjectured to cause cardiac failure in individuals afflicted with disorders of iron overload. We report on the use of both acyloins and aldehydes as markers of oxidative stress in a murine model of chronic iron-overload cardiomyopathy. Twenty mice were randomized to four treatment groups: (1) control (0.2 mL normal saline ip/mouse/d); (2) 100 mg iron (0.05 mL iron dextran/mouse/d); (3) 200 mg iron (0.1 mL iron dexxtran/mouse/d); (4) 400 mg iron (0.2 mL iron dextran/mouse/d). Significant dose-dependent increases in both total heart aldehyde and total heart acyloin concentrations were found. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation existed between the dose of iron administered and each quantified aldehyde and acyloin found in the heart.

To assess the accuracy of liver iron content (LIC) quantification and grading ability associated with clinical LIC stratification using virtual iron concentration (VIC) imaging on dual-energy CT (DECT) in an iron overload rabbit model.Fifty-one rabbits were prepared as iron-loaded models by intravenous injection of iron dextran. DECT was performed at 80 and 140 kVp. VIC images were derived from an iron-specific algorithm. Postmortem LIC assessments were conducted on an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometer. Correlation between VIC and LIC was analyzed. VIC were stratified according to the corresponding clinical LIC thresholds of 1.8, 3.2, 7.0, and 15.0 mg Fe/g. Diagnostic performance of stratification was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic analysis.VIC linearly correlated with LIC (r = 0.977, P 0.01). No significant difference was observed between VIC-derived LICs and ICP (P 0.05). For the four clinical LIC thresholds, the corresponding cutoff values of VIC were 19.6, 25.3, 36.9, and 61.5 HU, respectively. The highest sensitivity (100%) and specificity (100 %) were achieved at the threshold of 15.0 mg Fe/g.Virtual iron concentration imaging on DECT showed potential ability to accurately quantify and stratify hepatic iron accumulation in the iron overload rabbit model.• Virtual iron concentration (VIC) linearly correlates with liver iron content (LIC). • VIC accurately quantifies LIC. • VIC accurately grades LIC based on clinical LIC stratification.

Iron is involved in the formation as well as in the scavenging of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Thus, iron can induce as well as inhibit both oxidative and nitrosative stress. It also has a key role in reactive oxygen and nitrogen species-mediated apoptosis. We assessed the differences in tyrosine nitration and caspase 3 expression in the liver, heart, and kidneys of rats treated weekly with intravenous ferumoxytol, iron isomaltoside 1000, iron dextran, iron sucrose and ferric carboxymaltose (40 mg iron/kg body weight) for 5 weeks. Nitrotyrosine was quantified in tissue homogenates by Western blotting and the distribution of nitrotyrosine and caspase 3 was assessed in tissue sections by immunohistochemistry. Ferric carboxymaltose and iron sucrose administration did not result in detectable levels of nitrotyrosine or significant levels of caspase 3 vs. control in any of the tissue studied. Nitrotyrosine and caspase 3 levels were significantly (p

ObjectiveTo determine the influence of iron dextran intraperitoneal administration on the function and histology of the peritoneum in rats undergoing chronic peritoneal dialysis.DesignProspective, randomized experimental study.MaterialsFifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: 3 study groups -high dose group (H), n = 12; intermediate dose (M), n = 12; and low dose group (L), n = 12 a dialysis control group (D), n = 12; and a tissue control (C), n = 7.InterventionsThe study groups were given Dianeal containing iron dextran in a concentration of 0.5,0.25, and 0.125 mg/L (groups H, M, and L respectively). Group D was given standard Dianeal. Group C was never dialyzed.Main Outcome MeasuresA 2-hour peritoneal equilibrium test (PET) was performed on the eighth day, at 3 months, and at 6 months. After the final PET, the animals were sacrificed and the peritoneal membrane was evaluated by gross inspection and light microscopy (silver, prussian blue, and trichrome staining).ResultsPeritoneal transport of small solutes followed the same pattern in all groups, increasing over time. The peritonitis index was similar in the groups. No iron deposits or morphologic differences were seen in the gross inspection of the peritoneal cavity. No peritoneal iron deposition was detected in the histological analysis with prussian blue staining. No differences were noted in the light microscopic analysis of the mesothelial cell layer (silver staining), nor did the morphometric analysis of the submesothelial space show any differences in thickness between the groups.ConclusionThese findings suggest the absence of toxic effects of iron dextran on the peritoneal cavity of rats in the concentrat ions studied. Further studies should be performed to evaluate the effectiveness of these dosages delivered intraperitoneally to maintain iron homeostasis.

Iron-dextran may be administered during haemodialysis by slow infusion through the venous access port for the management of iron deficiency in patients treated with erythropoietin. This technique is time-efficient and convenient. The degree to which haemodialysis removes iron-dextran in vivo, however, is unknown. The purpose of this study was to measure the removal of iron-dextran in patients undergoing haemodialysis. Eight patients were enrolled into this open label, single dose, mass transfer study. All were stable patients, treated by haemodialysis for at least 1 month and with a stable baseline average haematocrit of 30.9 ± 1.9%. All 8 patients used aTerumo® 175 cuprammonium dialyser and all received 1g of intravenous iron-dextran infused over 1 hour during dialysis. Dialysate was collected for an average of 160 ± 30 minutes, was concentrated by lyophilisation, and assayed for iron-dextran content by spectrophotometry. The amount of iron-dextran removed by haemodialysis was determined. Six of the 8 patients showed no detectable amounts of iron-dextran in the dialysate, while 2 showed less than 2% of the total dose given. Haemodialysis removed 5mg of iron during a 110-minute session in 1 patient, and 17mg of iron during a 188-minute session in a second patient. Both patients were dialysed with the Terumo® 175 dialyser, reprocessed once. Our study concluded that there is minimal removal of iron-dextran by conventional haemodialysis in vivo. Administration of iron-dextran during haemodialysis is convenient and efficient, and does not warrant a change in dosage schedule.

The mean (+/- sd) packed cell volume (PCV) of the lambs in a flock mated by 'out-of-season' breeding methods and housed throughout the last six weeks of pregnancy and the whole of the suckling period declined to 23.3 +/- 3.34 per cent when the lambs were a month old, but recovered spontaneously to reach values within the normal range (30 to 35 per cent) before they were weaned at two months. Clinical signs of anaemia were observed in only a few lambs at three weeks old but the PCV values of all the lambs were significantly lower at this time than at weaning. There was no relationship between the PCV values during the two to four weeks after birth and the growth rate of the lambs. The administration of 200 mg iron, as iron dextran, by intramuscular injection to the newborn lambs prevented the decrease in PCV, but had no measurable effect on the health or growth rate of the lambs throughout the suckling period.

Both erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and iron treatments are underutilized in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Studies to evaluate safety profiles of various intravenous iron preparations are limited in PD patients compared to hemodialysis. No study in the literature compared safety of low-molecular-weight iron dextran (LMW-ID) with that of iron sucrose in PD patients. We aimed to compare adverse-effect profiles of LMW-ID and iron sucrose with varying dosing schedules in PD patients with a hope to foster use of parenteral iron solutions in PD patients.We retrospectively reviewed patient charts and included patients who were administered iron sucrose or LMW-ID parenterally. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical features, and pertinent laboratory data were collected. Adverse events which were deemed to be related to infusion of parenteral iron were recorded. We double-checked both physician records and nursing documents for observed adverse events.A total of 167 chronic PD patients were included in the study, and 92 patients were administered LMW-ID, whereas 75 patients were administered iron sucrose. Only one adverse event occurred in a patient who was administered 500 mg iron sucrose in a single infusion.This study showed the comparable safety of LMW-ID in varying doses over that of iron sucrose in PD patients.

Stable 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) microcrystals with a length of about 5–10 μm and a ζ -potential of −38.5 mV were produced by pH-induced reprecipitation in presence of a stabilizer hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. Sequential layer growth was achieved by the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of Fe 3+ and dextran sulfate (DS) on the surface of HCPT microcrystals via both electrostatic interaction and chemical complexation process. The satisfactory drug loading content (67.2 ± 0.82%) as well as high encapsulation efficiency (60.56 ± 0.82%) for four bilayers of Fe 3+ /DS coating was achieved. Both in vitro and in vivo release study revealed that the release time increased as the number of deposited Fe 3+ /DS bilayers increased. These results indicated that such iron–polysaccharide multilayered microcapsules can be a promising approach for the construction of an effective controlled release delivery system of HCPT as well as other drugs with potential cytotoxicity or short half-life time.

Iron overload was induced by iron dextran i.v. in clinically healthy adult pigeons, Columbia livia, (n = 8). Hemosiderosis was induced in all treated birds. Two control pigeons received no iron injections. Pigeons did not show clinical signs of iron overload during the 6-wk study. Ultrasound examination of the liver in the pigeons receiving iron dextran was performed on days 0, 13, 28, and 42. No ultrasound images were collected on the control pigeons. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed on days 0, 13, 28, and 42 on all study pigeons and imaging sequences were collected in three different imaging formats: T1, T2, and gradient-recalled echo (GRE). Surgical liver biopsies were performed on pigeons receiving iron dextran on days 2, 16, and 45 (at necropsy). A single liver sample was collected at necropsy from the control birds. Histologic examination, quantitative image analysis, and tissue iron analysis by thin-layer chromatography were performed on each liver sample and compared to the imaging studies. Although hemosiderosis was confirmed histologically in each experimental pigeon, no significant change in pixel intensity of the ultrasound images was seen at any point in the study. Signal intensity, in all magnetic resonance imaging formats, significantly decreased in a linear fashion as the accumulation of iron increased.

Our hypothesis is that iron accumulated in tissue, rather than in serum, may compromise cardiovascular control. Male Fischer 344 rats weighing 180 to 220 g were divided into 2 groups. In the serum iron overload group (SIO, N = 12), 20 mg elemental iron was injected ip daily for 7 days. In the tissue iron overload group (TIO, N = 19), a smaller amount of elemental iron was injected (10 mg, daily) for 5 days followed by a resting period of 7 days. Reflex heart rate responses were elicited by iv injections of either phenylephrine (0.5 to 5.0 microg/kg) or sodium nitroprusside (1.0 to 10.0 microg/kg). Baroreflex curves were determined and fitted to sigmoidal equations and the baroreflex gain coefficient was evaluated. To evaluate the role of other than a direct effect of iron on tissue, acute treatment with the iron chelator deferoxamine (20 mg/kg, iv) was performed on the TIO group and the baroreflex was re-evaluated. At the end of the experiments, evaluation of iron levels in serum confirmed a pronounced overload for the SIO group (30-fold), in contrast to the TIO group (2-fold). Tissue levels of iron, however, were higher in the TIO group. The SIO protocol did not produce significant alterations in the baroreflex curve response, while the TIO protocol produced a nearly 2-fold increase in baroreflex gain (-4.34 +/- 0.74 and -7.93 +/- 1.08 bpm/mmHg, respectively). The TIO protocol animals treated with deferoxamine returned to sham levels of baroreflex gain (-3.7 +/- 0.3 sham vs -3.6 +/- 0.2 bpm/mmHg) 30 min after the injection. Our results indicate an effect of tissue iron overload on the enhancement of baroreflex sensitivity.

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of a poor response to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in patients receiving long-term dialysis, who are known to absorb oral iron preparations poorly. This retrospective case series reports our preliminary observation of five patients receiving long-term dialysis in a tertiary care university hospital who had responded poorly to rHuEPO because of iron deficiency. These patients also had a history of severe, potentially life-threatening reaction to intravenous iron dextran preparation, but they tolerated the newly available ferric gluconate complex in sucrose with no untoward effects. These results suggest that the parenteral administration of ferric gluconate can be safe for those who require iron therapy and who have had a severe reaction to iron dextran.

The objectives of Exp. 1 were to determine the effects of production system and genotype on pig performance and health. Sows were bred, gestated, farrowed, and lactated in either an intensive indoor or an intensive outdoor production system. The three dam genotypes of pigs used in each environment were PIC Camborough-15 (C-15), PIC Camborough Blue (CB), and Yorkshire x Landrace (YL). All pigs received 100 mg of iron dextran at d 3 of age. Pigs raised in the outdoor unit had higher blood hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations on d 28 of age than pigs raised indoors (11.5 +/- .22 vs 8.16 +/- .26 g/dL, P.0001). Outdoor-reared pigs had more white blood cells (WBC) on d 3 than indoor-reared pigs (9.7 +/- .38 vs 8.04 +/- .38 cells/microL x 10(3), P.05), but outdoor pigs had fewer WBC on d 28 of age than indoor-reared pigs (9.8 +/- .5 vs 11.1 +/- .45 cells/microL x 10(3), P.05). Genetic lines did not differ in plasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations at 3 or 28 d of age. Environment and age influenced pig Hb levels and WBC numbers. The objectives for Exp. 2 were to determine whether C-15-405 pigs reared outdoors or indoors needed supplemental iron or whether they would receive enough environmental iron, and how the lack of supplemental iron may impact pig Hb and immunity. Indoor and outdoor pigs received either no supplemental iron, 100 mg, or 400 mg of iron dextran on d 3 of age. Blood percentage neutrophils and neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio were lower (P.05) indoors, and natural killer cell (NK) activity was greater (P.05) among indoor- than outdoor-reared pigs (NK % cytotoxicity: 15.6 +/- 2.3 vs 9.7 +/- 2.3). Outdoor-reared pigs that received no injected iron had similar Hb at d 28 of age as indoor-reared pigs that received 100 mg of iron dextran (11.1 +/- .36 vs 10.7 +/- .4 g/dL, P = .59). Supplemental iron may not be necessary in an outdoor production system. Outdoor-reared pigs had lower values for some immune measures, but they had similar survival rates as indoor-reared litters.

Supplying adequate iron (Fe) to neonatal pigs to support normal growth and hemato- logical and antioxidant status, while preventing iron toxicity, is a challenge for producers. Three experi- ments were conducted to determine the effect of frequency and route of Fe administration with or without vitamin E ( E ) and selenium (Se) on growth, Fe, and antioxidant status of neonatal pigs. In Exp. 1, 12 pigs from dams with reduced E status were fed a semipurified diet without added Fe from d 3 to d 14 of age. At d 6 of age, pigs received the following i.m. injections: 1 ) FE, 1 mL containing 200 mg of Fe (iron dextran); 2 ) FEE, treatment FE plus 1 mL containing 300 IU of vitamin E (d-a tocopherol); or 3 ) FESEE, 1.03 mL containing 200 mg of Fe (iron dextran), .15 mg of Se (sodium selenite), and 15 IU of vitamin E (d-a tocopherol). Pigs were weighed daily and blood was collected at 3, 7, and 14 d of age. From d 8 to 14, growth was depressed ( P < .05) in pigs injected with FESEE. At 14 d of age, pigs injected with FE or FEE had increased ( P < .05) hemoglobin (Hb) concentra- tion. Ceruloplasmin activity (CP) was greater ( P < .05) at d 7 of age than at d 3 or 14 regardless of treatment. In Exp. 2, 3-d-old pigs (n = 94) received the following: 1 ) FE, 200 mg Fe (iron dextran) i.m.; ( 2 ) FEE, treatment FE plus 300 IU vitamin E i.m.; 3 ) EFE, 300 IU vitamin E i.m. followed by 200 mg Fe (iron dextran) i.m. 24 h later; or 4 ) OFE, 100 mg Fe and 10 mg Cu orally. On d 21 of age, one-half of the pigs in each treatment received a second dose of their respective treatment. Blood samples (n = 60) were obtained on d 3 and 21 of age. Pigs injected with FE, FEE, or EFE had greater ( P < .05) Hb at d 21 than pigs given OFE. Copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD) activity was greater ( P < .05) at d 21 with OFE than with the other treatments. At 65 d of age, ADG did not differ among treatments. In Exp. 3, pigs (n = 150, in three farrowing groups) were injected with 200 mg of Fe (iron dextran) on d 1 or d 1 and 14. Blood samples were obtained on d 7 and 21 of age. Hemoglobin concentration on d 21 was improved equally by both treatments. Catalase and Cu/ZnSOD activities were increased ( P < .05) on d 21 of the experiment compared with d 7 regardless of treat- ment. Growth was not affected by injection frequency. Results from these experiments indicate that one Fe injection (200 mg) for pigs from sows fed adequate vitamin E will result in adequate growth and hemoglobin concentration with today's improved genetics.

Parenteral iron is given to patients in a variety of formulations, including two iron dextran products known as high- (HMW) or low- (LMW) molecular weight iron dextran. Despite more risk of adverse events, HMW iron dextran is sometimes substituted for LMW iron dextran without physician knowledge for

A study of the effects of iron dextran supplementation on anaemia in indoor lambs was carried out on one commercial flock of 525 lambs from January to June 1993. The lambs were randomly allocated into two groups, one of which was given a parenteral injection of 300 mg iron dextran and the other was left untreated. Blood was collected from 22 12-dayold lambs and 106 24-day-old lambs, in each case half treated and half untreated. The supplemented lambs had significantly improved haematological values than the unsupplemented lambs. There were also significant differences i9n the total serum iron concentration, the unsaturated iron binding capacity and the percentage serum saturation with iron between the treated and untreated lambs. At 12 days, the untreated lambs had a total serum iron below the accepted normal range for sheep whereas the treated lambs had values within the normal range. At weaning, lambs injected with iron dextran were significantly heavier (1.0 kg) than those not injected. The daily liveweight gain to slaughter was greater and the proportion of deaths was lower in the treated lambs but these differences were not statistically significant.

Iron deficiency anemia is a common problem encountered in primary care practice. Once the diagnosis is confirmed and the possible causes are identified, replacement of iron stores is indicated. Most patients respond favorably to oral iron preparations. However, therapy with intravenous iron dextran (InFeD) may be warranted in some cases. Side effects, which are usually mild, occur in 25% of patients. Test doses of undiluted iron dextran occasionally elicit anaphylactic reactions. However, affected patients still may be successfully treated intravenously with the use of prophylactic antihistamines, corticosteroids, and histamine2 blockers. Treatment of iron deficiency anemia almost always brings symptomatic improvement.

Hypersensitivity vasculitis occurs in response to various exogenous agents. A case of a serum sickness syndrome with cutaneous vasculitis is described in a patient given an intravenous iron-dextran infusion.

Gleptoferron, a sterile aqueous colloidal solution of beta-ferric oxyhydroxide and dextran glucoheptonic acid, was compared with iron dextran for the prevention of Fe deficiency anemia in young pigs. Using 26 litters, pigs (within each litter) were randomly allotted to one of three treatments: 1) control (no Fe), 2) iron dextran (200 mg) and 3) gleptoferron (200 mg). Blood was collected at 0, 10, 21 and 50 d post-treatment for red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (HGB) concentration, serum Fe concentration (Fe) and serum Fe-binding capacity (IBC). At 21 d, 30 pigs (one pig/treatment from each of 10 litters) were killed to determine milligrams nonheme Fe (NHFe) in liver and spleen, bile IBC and concentrations of bile and fecal Fe. There were no differences (P greater than .05) between Fe sources in 3- or 8-wk body weight or in any of the blood or tissue characteristics. In contrast, control pigs gained less (P less than .05) weight and had lower (P less than .05) RBC, HGB, HCT, serum Fe and liver and spleen NHFe than those that received iron dextran or gleptoferron. Serum IBC was greater (P less than .05) for the control than for Fe-treated pigs. These results demonstrate that the iron from iron dextran and gleptoferron is used with similar efficiency for anemia prevention in young pigs.

Ten sows were during their last month of gestation and first 4 weeks of lactation kept on a low Se ratio (0.014 ppm Se). Their 1-3 days old piglets (n = 108) were divided in 2 groups, the experimental and the control group. Blood samples were taken from the piglets before the age of 3 days. Each of the piglets of the experimental group (n = 54) was treated subcutaneously in connection with the blood sampling with 200 mg Fe(+3) as iron dextran and 0,30 mg Se(44) as sodium selenite (Pigfer-Se, Orion Corporation Ltd., Orion Pharmaceutics Espoo, Finland). The piglets of the control group (n = 54) were correspondingly treated with 200 Fe(+3) as iron dextran. Blood samples were again taken 7, 14 and 28 days after the first sample. The results showed that the mean increase in the number of erythrocytes during the first 7 days was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p = 0.006). No significant differences between the whole groups could be found in the later blood samples. When some haematological parameters of those of the piglets of the experimental and the control group, which before the age of 3 days had the whole blood Se ^ 55 μg/1 were compared (n = 16 and n = 22 respectively) the mean increase in the number of erythrocytes was found to be significantly higher both at 7 days and 14 days in the low Se piglets of the experimental group than the corresponding means of the control group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.016 respectively). At 28 days the difference between the means was not significant. The weekly mean weight gains of the low Se piglets of the experimental group were consistently higher at the successive weekly weighings than the corresponding means of the control group.

Iron-dextran (Imferon®) significantly increases the concentration of 67Ga in abscess relative to muscle, when given intravenously to abscess bearing rabbits 24 hr after intravenous, carrier-free 67Ga-citrate. This increase is achieved by accelerating the clearance of 67Ga from the blood.

SUMMARY Iron supplementation of piglets with oral galactan given as a single dose within 24 hours of birth was evaluated in a series of on farm trials. The growth rate of piglets receiving this treatment was faster than that of piglets receiving single injections of iron dextran or iron galactan at 3 days of age, or ferrous sulphate crystals orally at weekly intervals. Mean values for red cell parameters of oral iron galactan supplemented piglets at 2 to 4 weeks of age were lower than those of injected piglets but there was no clinical evidence of anaemia in any of the piglets.

In a series of pregnant women with iron deficiency anaemia treated by a total dose infusion of iron dextran, the non-haem iron content of the placenta at term was studied histochemically and by chemical analysis. Within a few days of the infusion the Prussian blue reaction on the placenta was very strong, but was negative by ten days after the infusion. Chemical analysis showed that both the water-insoluble fraction (haemosiderin) and the water-soluble fraction (ferritin) of the non-haem iron were increased soon after the infusion, but three weeks after the infusion they were almost the same as in untreated controls. Pinocytosis of iron dextran by the trophoblast and increased transport of transferrin-bound iron to the placenta are considered as possible causes for this large uptake of iron by the placenta.

In pregnant mice. 55Fe-labeled iron-dextran (Imferon) is transferred across the placenta. It was detected in the bone marrow, liver, spleen and peripheral blood of the pregnant animal, as well as in the embryonic liver erythroid precursors and peripheral blood. Uptake by liver and peripheral blood cells of pregnant anemic mice and by liver erythroid precursors of anemic embryos was significantly higher than in normal control animals. Electron-microscopic examination revealed that the iron deposits in the embryonic liver erythroid precursors had the same structure as the injected Imferon.

The structure of the acid-hydrolysed and alkali-degraded dextran used in the production of an iron-dextran complex has been determined. The dextran has acidic end-groups and, after purification by fractionation on anion-exchange columns, was found to possess a low molecular weight (2500–6250) and no reducing properties, and to contain an average of one glucometasaccharinic acid residue per dextran chain. The evidence suggests that this acid group occurs at the former “reducing” end-group and protects the dextran against further attack by alkali. Approximately 12% of the original dextran was not degraded by the alkali and remains as an impurity in the acid dextran. In spite of the extensive acid hydrolysis and alkali degradation, the dextran still contained around 5% of α-(1 → 3)- d -glucosidic links.

A study designed to compare the effectiveness of parenteral iron dextran with oral ferrous sulfate in the treatment of anemia of pregnancy has been carried out on 246 patients. The results indicate that the iron dextran can be expected to give a more rapid response but if treatment can be continued for as long as 4 to 6 weeks the ferrous sulfate will give an over-all improvement similar to that with the parenteral preparation.