[Effect of iron deficiency on vitamin A metabolism in rats].

Objective: To study the effect of iron deficiency on vitamin A (VA) metabolism in rats.

Methods: Forty-four male SD rats were divided randomly into four groups according to their body weights and every group included 11 rats: control group (I group), entire iron deficient and normal VA group (II group), slight iron deficient and normal VA group (III group), slight iron and VA deficient (IV group). After being raised for 10 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and the serum VA, retinol-binding protein (RBP), hemoglobin, serum iron, serum iron saturation, VA in the liver, retinyl ester in the liver were determined.

Results: Iron deficiency decreased serum VA and VA in the liver significantly, and increased molar ratio of hepatic retinyl esters to retinol significantly. VA deficiency decreased the level of RBP mRNA expression in the liver significantly.

Conclusion: Iron deficiency could affect VA nutritional status by influencing absorption, storage and transportation of VA.