title: Chronic administration of iron dextran into the peritoneal cavity of rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the influence of chronic iron dextran administrations into the peritoneal cavity of rats on function and anatomy of the peritoneal membrane, as well as on erythropoiesis and serum iron.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective randomized animal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Animal laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  36 Sprague-Dawley rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  The rats were divided into three groups (n = 12). The animals were given standard 1.5% Dianeal (control group) or 1.5% Dianeal containing iron dextran in a concentration of 2 mg/L [low-dose group (LDG)] or 10 mg/L [high-dose group (HDG)].
  
  
  METHODS
  On the 8th day, at 3 months, and at 6 months a 2-hour peritoneal equilibration test (PET) and blood tests including hematocrit, serum iron, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) were done. After the final PET at 6 months, the peritoneal membrane was evaluated by gross inspection and by light microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hematocrit and serum iron levels increased only in the HDG and LDG. Peritoneal transport of small solutes decreased significantly in the HDG compared to baseline. All cases of the HDG group revealed peritoneal adhesions and fibrosis around the peritoneal catheter as well as massive iron deposits on the peritoneum. Similar but less pronounced changes were found in the LDG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest an efficient absorption of iron from the peritoneal cavity of rats, however, dialysate iron dextran concentrations of 2 mg/L or greater are toxic to the peritoneal membrane. Therefore, future studies should be performed to determine the minimal effective and nontoxic iron dextran concentrations for intraperitoneal administration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia 65212, USA.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Z J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Twardowski
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khanna
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Nolph
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000187:drug effects; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006400:Hematocrit; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D007505:Iron-Dextran Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D007505:Iron-Dextran Complex; D007501:Iron