Heme, an iron protoporphyin IX complex, consists of a ferrous ion captured in a porphyrin ring acting as a tetradentate ligand. The unique features of heme iron -its unusually high absorption in foods and its resistance to luminal inhibitors of iron absorption- make it a potentially interesting iron fortificant. This study aims to compare fractional iron absorption from two plant-derived heme iron compounds-iron chlorophyllin and soy hemoglobin-with ferrous sulfate (negative control) and porcine hemoglobin (positive control) in iron-deficient women. All four compounds will be intrinsically labeled with stable iron isotopes. Fractional absorption will be assessed 14 days after test meal administration via erythrocyte iron incorporation. Absorption will be tested in two matrices: water and maize porridge (an inhibitory matrix). Each participant will consume all test conditions in a randomized order, allowing for within-subject comparisons.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
45
Water with labelled Fe chlorophyllin (54Fe)
Water with labelled soy hemoglobin (58Fe)
Water with labelled ferrous sulfate (58Fe)
Water with labelled porcine hemoglobin (57Fe)
Maize porridge with labelled Fe chlorophyllin (54Fe)
Maize porridge with labelled soy hemoglobin (58Fe)
Maize porridge with labelled ferrous sulfate (57Fe)
Maize porridge with labelled porcine hemoglobin (57Fe)
ETH Zurich, Laboratoy of Clinical Biopharmacy
Zurich, Switzerland
RECRUITINGFractional Iron Absorption (%)
Fractional iron absorption will be calculated based on the shift of the iron isotope ratios in the collected blood samples after the administration of the intervention products. Fractional iron absorption will be measured as erythrocyte incorporation of the naturally occurring iron forms with different masses used to label the iron supplements.
Time frame: Day 22
Fractional Iron Absorption (%)
Fractional iron absorption will be calculated based on the shift of the iron isotope ratios in the collected blood samples after the administration of the intervention products. Fractional iron absorption will be measured as erythrocyte incorporation of the naturally occurring iron forms with different masses used to label the iron supplements.
Time frame: Day 43
Fractional Iron Absorption (%)
Fractional iron absorption will be calculated based on the shift of the iron isotope ratios in the collected blood samples after the administration of the intervention products. Fractional iron absorption will be measured as erythrocyte incorporation of the naturally occurring iron forms with different masses used to label the iron supplements.
Time frame: Day 64
Hemoglobin (g/dL)
Iron status marker
Time frame: Day 1
Hemoglobin (g/dL)
Iron status marker
Time frame: Day 22
Hemoglobin (g/dL)
Iron status marker
Time frame: Day 43
Hemoglobin (g/dL)
Iron status marker
Time frame: Day 64
Serum Ferritin (µg/L)
Iron status marker
Time frame: Day 1
Serum Ferritin (µg/L)
Iron status marker
Time frame: Day 22
Serum Ferritin (µg/L)
Iron status marker
Time frame: Day 43
soluble Transferrin Receptor (mg/L)
Iron status marker
Time frame: Day 1
soluble Transferrin Receptor (mg/L)
Iron status marker
Time frame: Day 22
soluble Transferrin Receptor (mg/L)
Iron status marker
Time frame: Day 43
C-reactive protein (mg/L)
Chronic inflammation marker
Time frame: Day 1
C-reactive protein (mg/L)
Chronic inflammation marker
Time frame: Day 22
C-reactive protein (mg/L)
Chronic inflammation marker
Time frame: Day 43
Alpha-1-acid Glycoprotein (g/L)
Acute inflammation marker
Time frame: Day 1
Alpha-1-acid Glycoprotein (g/L)
Acute inflammation marker
Time frame: Day 22
Alpha-1-acid Glycoprotein (g/L)
Acute inflammation marker
Time frame: Day 43
Hepcidin (ng/mL)
A major regulator of iron absorption
Time frame: Day 1
Hepcidin (ng/mL)
A major regulator of iron absorption
Time frame: Day 22
Hepcidin (ng/mL)
A major regulator of iron absorption
Time frame: Day 43
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