title: The fate of iron compounds in the gastrointestinal tract. Coordination-chemical facts.
abstract: Simple ferrous salts are sources of ferric species emerging from the hydrolysis induced by oxidation in the gastrointestinal tract. Ferric ions from simple ferric salts undergo hydrolysis at an early stage succeeding oral administration. The hydrolysis products from either type of sources are ill-defined. Recent progress in the understanding of iron(III) hydrolysis shows that small polynuclear hydroxo complexes can be prepared, which are well-defined and susceptible to uptake by mucosal proteins.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004064:Digestive System / Q000378:metabolism*; D006868:Hydrolysis; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D051381:Rats; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D007501:Iron