Effect of iron deficiency on phosphoinositide levels in rat brain.

Adult rats raised on 90% iron deficient diet for 6 weeks showed a decrease in the levels of brain phosphatidylinositol (60%), phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (25%) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (30%), the precursors for the second messengers, diacylglycerol and inositol phosphates. Rehabilitation to normal diet for 24 days was found to restore the levels to control values. The data suggests that iron deficiency could lead to alterations in the functions related to phosphoinositide-linked receptor system(s).