Folic Acid Affects Iron Status in Female Rats with Deficiency of These Micronutrients

Abstract

Although simultaneous supplementation with iron and folic acid is justified, the potential interactions between these micronutrients are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of oral iron and folic acid, administered together or separately, on iron concentration in tissues in rats with a deficiency of both these micronutrients. In the first stage of the experiment (28 days), 150 8-week-old female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control group (C; n = 30) fed the standard diet and to a study group (n = 120) fed a diet deficit in iron and folate. The study group was then randomly divided to four groups: D group fed a deficit diet, FE group fed a deficit diet with iron gluconate, the FOL group fed a deficit diet with folate acid, and the FEFOL group fed a deficit diet with iron gluconate and folate acid. After 2, 10, and 21 days of supplementation, ten animals from each group were killed. Morphological parameters were measured in whole blood. Iron concentration was assayed in serum, liver, spleen, pancreas, heart, and kidneys. Folic acid supplementation more significantly decreased iron concentrations in the pancreas and spleen than in the D group after 10 and 21 days of supplementation. Moreover, the combination of iron with folic acid markedly decreased iron levels in the liver and spleen, in comparison with iron alone, after 10 and 21 days of the experiment. In conclusion, folic acid affects iron status in female rats deficient in these micronutrients in moderate and long-term supplementation.