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Iron bioavailability from supplemented formula milk: effect of lactoferrin addition

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Abstract

Purpose

In this work, the absorption and/or bioavailability of iron from two chemical species, 57Fe-Lf (apo-lactoferrin) complex and 57FeSO4 at low and high dose, and in Lf excess were investigated in lactating wistar rats.

Methods

The methodology used is based on the use of stable isotopes in combination with the approach “isotope pattern deconvolution” and ICP-MS for detection. This approach provides quantitative information about exogenous (57Fe) and endogenous iron (natFe) distribution in fluids and tissues in the iron-supplemented rat groups.

Results

The observed results with supplemented rats were compared with those found in rats receiving maternal feeding. Interestingly, differences were found between groups in iron for transport and storage compartments, but not in the functional one, depending upon the dose of iron administered and the chemical species.

Conclusion

Considering the results obtained, supplementation with iron salts in excess of Lf appears to be the best way of iron supplementation of formula milk.

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Acknowledgments

M. L. F. S. and A. S. M. designed research; S. F. M. conducted research; B. F. C., J. L. S, H. G. I. and S. F. M. analysed data; S. F. M., M. L. F. S. and A. S. M. wrote the paper. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript. On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest. Authors are grateful to “Fundación para la Investigación Científica Aplicada y la Tecnología, Principado de Asturias” (FICYT. FC-11-PC10-46) and to “Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional” (FEDER). Also financial support from “Laboratorios Ordesa” (Barcelona, Spain) and “Fundación Grupo Castrillo” (Spain) is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Oviedo, Avda Julián Clavería, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

    Sonia Fernández-Menéndez, María L. Fernández-Sánchez & Alfredo Sanz-Medel

  2. “Fundación de Investigación Oftalmológica”, Instituto Oftalmológico Fernández-Vega, Avda Doctores Fernández Vega, 33012, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

    Héctor González-Iglesias

  3. Service of Neonatology, “Hospital Central de Asturias”, C/Carretera de Rubín, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

    Belén Fernández-Colomer & José López-Sastre

Authors
  1. Sonia Fernández-Menéndez
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  2. María L. Fernández-Sánchez
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  3. Héctor González-Iglesias
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  4. Belén Fernández-Colomer
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  5. José López-Sastre
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  6. Alfredo Sanz-Medel
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to María L. Fernández-Sánchez or Alfredo Sanz-Medel.

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Fernández-Menéndez, S., Fernández-Sánchez, M.L., González-Iglesias, H. et al. Iron bioavailability from supplemented formula milk: effect of lactoferrin addition. Eur J Nutr 56, 2611–2620 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-016-1325-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-016-1325-7

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