title: A proposed intestinal mechanism for the effect of riboflavin deficiency on iron loss in the rat.
abstract: The effect of riboflavin deficiency on gastrointestinal Fe distribution and loss was studied in weanling rats. Riboflavin deficiency was associated with a significant increase in crypt depth in the upper and mid small intestine and a twofold increase in the rate of crypt cell production compared with weight-matched and ad lib.-fed control rats. The rate of loss of endogenous Fe, measured as faecal 59Fe after intraperitoneally administered 59Fe, was twice that from riboflavin-deficient rats compared with weight-matched controls. We suggest that while there may be a contribution from turnover of enterocytes with an enhanced Fe content, enhanced Fe loss associated with riboflavin deficiency is due predominantly to an accelerated rate of small-intestinal epithelial turnover.
authors: University Department of Paediatrics, Stephenson Unit, Sheffield Children's Hospital, Western Bank.
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Powers
authors: L T
authors: LT
authors: Weaver
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Austin
authors: J K
authors: JK
authors: Beresford
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000502:physiology*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012257:Riboflavin Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D007501:Iron