Ferropenic anemia: oxidative stress and cytomolecular damage associated with ferrous sulfate preventive administration

GAMBARO R; DISALVO L; VAREA A; SEOANE A; PADULA G

Guadalajara

Congreso; IUNS 21st ICN International Congress of Nutrition; 2018

International Society of Nutrition

Background and objectives: Iron deficiency anemia (IDF) is apathological condition characterized by insufficient iron tosynthesize iron-containing proteins and enzymes. Iron is anessential trace mineral for a number of biological functions.Although iron deficiency may be prevented by adequate dietaryintakes, it is internationally agreed that iron supplementation tolactating mothers and infants is a priority. The Argentine PediatricSociety recommends daily ferrous sulfate supplementation as apreventive strategy. Since the 90´s, a single weekly dose of ferroussulfate has been an alternative treatment. On the other hand, ferroussulfate is known for its pro-oxidant properties, leading to increasedoxidative stress that may seriously damage membranes, proteinsand DNA. The aim of this study was to determine the possiblecytomolecular damage and oxidative stress caused by daily andweekly administration of ferrous sulfate for IDF prevention, in invitro cultured human lymphocytes.Methods: We performed two controls (negative and positive) andtwo ferrous sulfate treatments (weekly and daily). Cytomoleculardamage was assessed by the comet assay and oxidative stressusing T-BARS.Results: Weekly ferrous sulfate treatment elicited a decreasingtrend in the production of oxygen free radicals and, consequently,of oxidative stress and cytomolecular damage.Conclusions: Since weekly ferrous sulfate supplementation causesless side effects, it would allow higher treatment compliance, thusdecreasing IDF prevalence. Future in vivo studies and thedevelopment of further techniques would enable us to obtain moreconclusive results.