Increased iron absorption in uroporphyrin-treated rats.

Rats were given 59Fe (28 micrograms) together with doses of 0, 2 and 200 micrograms of uroporphyrin III in paired observations. Absorption of 59Fe was determined by comparing whole body counts of the rats 30 min and 7 days after dosing. Prior treatment with 200 micrograms of uroporphyrin twice daily for 3 days was associated with significantly increased 59Fe absorption of 6.2% compared to the absorption of 4.6% without uroporphyrin (control) and 4.6% with a 2-micrograms dose (p less than 0.05).