Objective To study the effect of vitamin A(VA)deficiency on iron nutritional status in rats and explore the possible mechanism.
Methods Forty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups according to their body weights.They were Ⅰ VA and iron deificient group, Ⅱ entire VA deficient group, Ⅲ slight VA deficient group and Ⅳ normal VA group.After they were raised for eight weeks, the rats were sacrificed and the serum VA, serum iron, serum ferritin, hemoglobin and total iron in the liver were determined.The level of liver transferrin mRNA expression were measured using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)method.
Results VA deficiency decreased serum ferritin, hemoglobin and total iron in the liver and inhibited the expression of transferrin mRNA in the liver significantly.
Conclusion VA deficiency may inhibit the absorption and transportation of iron by reducing the level of transferrin mRNA expression in the liver.
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