Comparison of the renal, cardiovascular and hepatic toxicity data of original intravenous iron compounds.
BACKGROUND
Intravenous (i.v.) iron is essential for managing haemoglobin levels in haemodialysis patients. However, i.v. iron may cause variable degrees of toxicity. This is mainly related to the pharmacological characteristics of any given i.v. iron compound.


METHODS
This blinded study examines the effects of five i.v. iron preparations on haemodynamic and functional parameters. Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 10/group) received high or low molecular weight (HMW/LMW) iron dextran, ferric gluconate (FG), ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), iron sucrose (ISC) or isotonic saline solution (control). Five i.v. doses of iron (40 mg iron/kg) or saline were administered over 4 weeks.


RESULTS
Systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced in the LMW dextran group, whereas serum iron and percentage transferrin saturation were significantly elevated in all treatment groups. Creatinine clearance was reduced and urinary protein excretion increased in the FG group only (P < 0.01). Liver enzyme levels in the blood were increased (P < 0.01) in the FG and two dextran groups compared with the FCM and ISC groups. Analysis of liver, heart and kidney homogenates showed a significant increase in catalase and malondialdehyde levels in the FG group, and an increase in CuZn-superoxide dismutase and glutathione (GSH) peroxidase activity accompanied with a decrease in the reduced-to-oxidized GSH ratio in the FG and two dextran groups (P < 0.01). Tumour necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 levels were significantly elevated in liver, heart and kidney samples from the FG and two dextran groups but not the FCM, ISC or control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that FG and HMW/LMW iron dextran have less favourable safety profiles than FCM and ISC in normal rats.
Toblli
Jorge E
JE
Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Hospital Alemán, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Av. Pueyrredon 1640, (1118) Buenos Aires, Argentina. jorgetoblli@fibertel.com.ar
Cao
Gabriel
G
Olivieri
Leda
L
Angerosa
Margarita
M
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D058085:Iron Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013599:Systole / Q000187:drug effects
D058085:Iron Compounds; D007501:Iron