Effect of induced iron deficiency and iron supplementation on the myocardium of the left ventricle of post weaned male albino rat. A light and electron microscopic study

ABSTRACT

Numerous studies have demonstrated the negative impact of iron deficiency on the growth and development. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of iron deficiency on the myocardium of the left ventricle of heart as well as their recovery whether by the therapeutic administration of iron or by balanced diet. Thirty six post weaned male albino rats were divided into three groups. Group I [12 rats] represented the control group receiving balanced diet [containing 36 mg iron/kg diet] and was equally subdivided into subgroup I-A and subgroup I-B according to duration of the experiment. Group II [12 rats] in which iron deficiency state was induced using a deficient diet [5 mg iron/kg diet] for 6 weeks. Group III [12 rats] represented the recovery group. They received iron deficient diet [5 mg/kg] similar to group II and according to the recovery regimen, this group was further subdivided into subgroup III-A [received balanced diet for further 2 weeks] and subgroup III-B [received oral supplementation of iron [9.45 mg/kg. body weight/day] along with the balanced diet for 2 weeks. Blood samples were collected for measuring hemoglobin concentration and chemical analysis for iron. Animals were sacrificed and their hearts were processed for both light and electronmicroscopic examinations. Iron deficiency resulted in vacuolation of left ventricular myocytes, pyknotic nuclei with mitochondrial swelling and disorganization. The sarcomeres were irregularly organized with focal degeneration and discontinuity of myofilaments. There was apparent thickening of the left ventricular muscle fibers. Recovery groups revealed evidence of mild regeneration in subgroup III-A and nearly complete recovery in subgroup III-B. Iron supplementation is essential to recover the changes associating iron deficiency