title: Equivalent effects on fecal reactive oxygen species generation with oral supplementation of three iron compounds: ferrous sulfate, sodium iron EDTA and iron polymaltose.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In any context of iron supplementation in the prenatal prophylaxis or therapeutic dosage range, a large amount will remain unabsorbed and pass through the intestinal tract into the colonic digesta possibly causing increased oxidation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the generation of fecal reactive oxygen species (ROS) in situ after daily consumption of 100 mg of elemental iron in three frequently used forms of iron supplements.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten healthy, iron-repleted adult males were investigated before and during supplementation with three oral iron compounds: 100 mg of oral iron were given as ferrous sulfate, Na Fe-EDTA and iron polymaltose for 6 days to each subject in an individually stratified sequence. Stool samples were collected and analyzed for iron content and the in situ generation of fecal ROS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant increases in fecal ROS generation were observed during oral iron supplementation. No statistical differences were seen in either residual concentrations of non-heme iron in stool or the level of fecal ROS generation between the three Fe compounds. There was, however, a significant association between the iron concentration in the stool and ROS generation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In spite of the differences in their chemical characteristics, none of the three distinct iron complexes reduced oxidative stress in the intestinal lumen.
authors.affiliation: Center for the Studies of Sensory Impairment, Aging and Metabolism, Guatemala City, Guatemala. mnorozco@uvg.edu.gt
authors.forename: Monica N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Orozco
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arriaga
authors.forename: Noel W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Solomons
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schümann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006397:Hematinics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000032:analysis*; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016877:Oxidants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000032:analysis*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D005296:Ferrous Compounds; D006397:Hematinics; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D016877:Oxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D004492:Edetic Acid; D007501:Iron; C019179:Fe(III)-EDTA; C013276:teferrol