Iron binding properties of saliva [23]

Abstract

GASTRIC juice of healthy people contains a high molecular weight iron binding protein "gastroferrin"1. A role for the gastric iron binding protein in the regulation of iron absorption has been proposed2,3, and alterations in its production have been described in clinical conditions of iron deficiency3 and iron overload2. The gastric juice obtained for the studies previously reported was free of saliva. Normally, however, swallowed saliva contributes substantially to the total volume of secretions present in the stomach. It was therefore decided to investigate the possible iron binding properties of this secretion. The effect of acid-peptic digestion on the iron binding properties of saliva was also studied because of the possibility that hydrochloric acid and pepsin secreted by the gastric mucosa react with the saliva present in the stomach. © 1968 Nature Publishing Group.