Effects of ferrous sulphate and non-ionic iron-polymaltose complex on markers of oxidative tissue damage in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency is a common complication of inflammatory bowel disease. Oral iron therapy may reinforce intestinal tissue injury by catalyzing production of reactive oxygen species. Aim: To compare the effects of ferrous sulphate and non-ionic iron-polymaltose complex on markers of oxidative tissue damage and clinical disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Methods: Forty-one patients with inflammatory bowel disease and iron deficiency were randomized to treatment with ferrous sulphate 100 mg twice a day or iron-polymaltose complex 200 mg once a day for 14 days. Results: Following ferrous sulphate, plasma malondialdehyde increased (P = 0.02), while urine 8-isoprostaglandin F2α and plasma antioxidants did not change significantly. Iron-polymaltose complex did not change plasma malondialdehyde, urine 8-isoprostaglandin F2α or plasma antioxidants. Comparing the two treatments, changes in plasma malondialdehyde tended to differ (P = 0.08), while urine 8-isoprostaglandin F2α and plasma antioxidants did not differ. Neither ferrous sulphate nor iron-polymaltose complex altered clinical disease activity indices. Conclusions: Ferrous sulphate increased plasma malondialdehyde, a marker of lipid peroxidation. Comparing treatment with ferrous sulphate and iron-polymaltose complex, changes in plasma malondialdehyde tended to differ. Clinical disease activity was unchanged after both treatments. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.