title: [Relation between erythrocyte free protoporphyrins and usual iron intake in a group of University of Buenos Aires students].
abstract: In order to analyze the interrelationships between free erythrocyte protoporphyrins and the usual iron intake in adult students, biochemical, and hematological values, and dietary daily intake, obtained using the recall method during seven days, were studied. Hematocrit (Hto.), hemoglobin (Hb) and free erythrocyte protoporphyrins (FEP) were determined in a group of 145 female university students, healthy according to the standard parameters of the Buenos Aires University Health Department. Mean iron intake was 23.0 +/- 1.5 mg per day, about 44% being provided by animal sources; 74.5% of the population was within the recommended daily intake according to FAO/WHO; only 0.7% of the population did not cover protein requirements while 35% did not cover energy needs. Hto. and Hb were below normal levels in 7.8% of the population when compared with standards according to ICNND. To obtain information about normal values to FEP, expressed as microgram/100 ml red cells (FEP% r.c.) and FEP/Hb ratio, the group of students with adequate intake of energy and proteins who had normal values for Hb and Hto. was selected. This group, including 94 women, had a mean FEP% r.c. of 15.71 +/- 7.26 and a mean FEP/Hb ratio of 0.44 +/- 0.21. There was observed an inverse correlation between FEP% r.c. and FEP/Hb with total iron intake (r = 0.80 and r = 0.78, respectively) and between FEP% r.c. and Hb concentration (r = 0.81). These results confirm the usefulness of the free erythrocyte protoporphyrins determination as a good index of iron stores and usual intake of this population.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001118:Argentina; D004034:Diet Surveys; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000097:blood*; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D011166:Porphyrins; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D007501:Iron
vernacular_title: Relación entre protoporfirinas libres en glóbulo rojo e ingesta habitual de hierro en un grupo de estudiantes de la Universidad de Buenos. Aires.