Carotenoids, but not vitamin A, improve iron uptake and ferritin synthesis by Caco-2 cells from ferrous fumarate and NaFe-EDTA.

Abstract

Due to the high prevalence of iron and vitamin A deficiencies and to the controversy about the role of vitamin A and carotenoids in iron absorption, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the following: (1) the effect of a molar excess of vitamin A as well as the role of tannic acid on iron uptake by Caco-2 cells; (2) iron uptake and ferritin synthesis in presence of carotenoids without pro-vitamin A activity: lycopene, lutein, and zeaxantin; and (3) iron uptake and ferritin synthesis from ferrous fumarate and NaFe-EDTA. Cells were incubated 1 h at 37 °C in PBS pH 5.5, containing (59) Fe and different iron compounds. Vitamin A, ferrous fumarate, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxantin, and tannic acid were added to evaluate uptake. Ferritin synthesis was measured 24 h after uptake experiments. Vitamin A had no effect on iron uptake by Caco-2 cells, and was significantly lower from NaFe-EDTA than from ferrous fumarate (15.2 ± 2.5 compared with 52.5 ± 8.3 pmol Fe/mg cell protein, respectively). Carotenoids increase uptake up to 50% from fumarate and up to 300% from NaFe-EDTA, since absorption from this compound is low when administered alone. We conclude the following: (1) There was no effect of vitamin A on iron uptake and ferritin synthesis by Caco-2cells. (2) Carotenoids significantly increased iron uptake from ferrous fumarate and NaFe-EDTA, and were capable of partially overcoming the inhibition produced by tannic acid. (3) Iron uptake by Caco-2 cell from NaFe-EDTA was significantly lower compared to other iron compounds, although carotenoids increased and tannic acid inhibited iron uptake comparably to ferrous fumarate.

• Authors: María N García-Casal, Irene Leets
• Journal: Journal of food science (J Food Sci) Vol. 79 Issue 4 Pg. H706-12 (Apr 2014) ISSN: 1750-3841 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24665932 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2014 Institute of Food Technologists®

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Ferrous Compounds
• Iron Chelating Agents
• Iron Compounds
• Plant Extracts
• Tannins
• Vitamins
• Vitamin A
• Carotenoids
• Ferritins
• Edetic Acid
• Iron
• ferrous fumarate

Topics

• Antioxidants (pharmacology)
• Caco-2 Cells
• Carotenoids (pharmacology)
• Edetic Acid (chemistry)
• Ferritins (biosynthesis)
• Ferrous Compounds (metabolism, pharmacology)
• Humans
• Intestinal Absorption (drug effects)
• Iron (metabolism)
• Iron Chelating Agents (chemistry)
• Iron Compounds (metabolism, pharmacology)
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology)
• Tannins (pharmacology)
• Vitamin A (pharmacology)
• Vitamins (pharmacology)