The G277S transferrin mutation does not affect iron absorption in iron deficient women.
BACKGROUND
Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the most important nutritional diseases, with high prevalence worldwide. The G277S transferrin mutation has been implicated as a risk factor for iron deficiency in menstruating women. However, the subject is controversial and there are no data concerning the possible influence of this polymorphism on iron absorption.


OBJECTIVE
To undertake a pilot study to investigate the effect of carrying the G277S transferrin mutation on non-haem iron absorption from a meal in young menstruating women compared to wild-type controls.


METHODS
Menstruating women with low iron stores (serum ferritin < 30 microg/l) or who had suffered from iron deficiency anaemia or had a family history of anaemia were recruited (n = 162). Haematological parameters were analysed, including haemoglobin, ferritin, total-iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation. Non-haem iron absorption from a meal was measured in 25 non-anaemic women either with the G277S/G277G (n = 10) or the wild type G277G/G277G (n = 15) genotype. The incorporation of stable isotopes of iron into erythrocytes was used to measure absorption.


CONCLUSIONS
There were no significant differences in iron status indices or non-haem iron absorption between genotypes. However, G277S carriers did not show the usual inverse association between iron stores and non-haem iron absorption. Further studies should focus on the effects of a combination of polymorphisms in iron metabolism genes on iron absorption.
Sarria
Beatriz
B
Department of Metabolism and Nutrition, Instituto del Frio, Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), C/ Jose Antonio Novais 10., 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Navas-Carretero
Santiago
S
Lopez-Parra
Ana M
AM
Perez-Granados
Ana M
AM
Arroyo-Pardo
Eduardo
E
Roe
Mark A
MA
Teucher
Birgit
B
Vaquero
M Pilar
MP
Fairweather-Tait
Susan J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D012307:Risk Factors; D014168:Transferrin / Q000235:genetics*
D019266:Iron, Dietary; D014168:Transferrin