title: A nano-disperse ferritin-core mimetic that efficiently corrects anemia without luminal iron redox activity.
abstract: The 2-5 nm Fe(III) oxo-hydroxide core of ferritin is less ordered and readily bioavailable compared to its pure synthetic analogue, ferrihydrite. We report the facile synthesis of tartrate-modified, nano-disperse ferrihydrite of small primary particle size, but with enlarged or strained lattice structure (~2.7Å for the main Bragg peak versus 2.6Å for synthetic ferrihydrite). Analysis indicated that co-precipitation conditions can be achieved for tartrate inclusion into the developing ferrihydrite particles, retarding both growth and crystallization and favoring stabilization of the cross-linked polymeric structure. In murine models, gastrointestinal uptake was independent of luminal Fe(III) reduction to Fe(II) and, yet, absorption was equivalent to that of ferrous sulphate, efficiently correcting the induced anemia. This process may model dietary Fe(III) absorption and potentially provide a side effect-free form of cheap supplemental iron. From the clinical editor: Small size tartrate-modified, nano-disperse ferrihydrite was used for efficient gastrointestinal delivery of soluble Fe(III) without the risk for free radical generation in murine models. This method may provide a potentially side effect-free form iron supplementation.
authors.affiliation: MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Cambridge, UK. Electronic address: jonathan.powell@mrc-hnr.cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jonathan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.affiliation: MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Sylvaine F A
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Bruggraber
authors.affiliation: MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.affiliation: MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Lynsey K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Poots
authors.affiliation: Institute for Materials Research, School of Process, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hondow
authors.affiliation: SuperSTEM, Daresbury Laboratories, Warrington, UK; Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Pennycook
authors.affiliation: Diabetes & Nutritional Sciences Division, School of Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Gladys O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Latunde-Dada
authors.affiliation: Diabetes & Nutritional Sciences Division, School of Medicine, King's College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.affiliation: Institute for Materials Research, School of Process, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: Andy P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Dora I A
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Pereira
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D005293:Ferritins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D017348:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction
chemical_list: D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron
keywords: Bioavailability; Ferrihydrite; Iron deficiency anemia; Iron oxide; Oral iron