Pomegranate Juice Enhances Iron Dialysability and Assimilation in In-Vitro Cell Free and Cell-Based Models.

Despite concerted programmatic efforts iron deficiency anemia (IDA) continues to be a global health problem. Per Ayurveda, an Indian Traditional Medical System, natural plant materials such as pomegranate juice (PJ) is indicated as a food supplement to manage IDA. We hypothesized that pomegranate could play a role in improving absorption and assimilation of iron. A cell free in vitro model simulating the gastric and intestinal digestive processes coupled with cell based (Caco-2 and HepG2) models were used to assess iron (FeSO4 form) dialysability in the presence of PJ. Iron assimilation into cells was measured in terms of the cellular ferritin content. PJ (containing ~13 mg/100 ml natural ascorbic acid equivalent) increased the dialysability of iron by >3 fold when compared to control in the cell free model. An equivalent concentration of ascorbic acid alone increased it only by 1.6-fold. PJ increased the iron uptake in Caco2 cells by ~6-fold and ferritin content by 30% when compared to the ascorbic acid control. Similarly, PJ enhanced the iron uptake in HepG2 cells by ~3 fold and iron assimilation by about 50%. This study establishes a scientific evidence for Ayurveda's claim of using pomegranate in the management of IDA by facilitating iron absorption and assimilation. It provides a simple solution for addressing the global problem of IDA. Synergistic action of multiple phytochemicals, over and above ascorbic acid, in PJ may be responsible for improving iron bioavailability.

Scores on the SF-36 scales and the Beck Depression Inventory in assessing mental health among patients on hemodialysis.

45 patients on hemodialysis were administered both the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 and the Beck Depression Inventory. The Mental Health Inventory subscale scores of the SF-36 were regressed stepwise on the Role Emotional subscale scores of the SF-36 and the Beck inventory. 46% of the variance in the MHI-5 scores was accounted for by age category and the other two measures of emotional status. Age category was not significant. Discussion includes the potential utility of the combination of inventories in assessing mental health among patients on hemodialysis.