• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.1151-1157
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• 1999

The purpose of this study is to investigate the iron nutritional status and anemia of university female students. Seventy female subjects in Ulsan city were evaluated with questionnaire, measurement of hematological indices. The mean height and weight of 70 subjects were 160.76±0.48cm, 52.80±0.72kg and BMI(body mass index: kg/m2), %IBW(ideal body weight) were 21.0±0.29, 100.2±12.41. The mean values of hemoglobin(Hgb), hematocrit(Hct), serum iron(S Fe), serum ferritin(SF), TIBC(total iron binding capacity), transferrin saturation(TS(%)) and RBC were 12.7±11.10g/dl, 39.0± 2.61%, 96.9±41.98 g/dl, 28.9±24.78 g/dl, 369.6±54.36 g/dl, 27.1±12.40% and 4.4± 0.27(106/mm3), respectively. Iron deficiency anemia among the subjects was estimated as 15.7% by using Hgb(<12g/dl), 11.4% by Hct(<36%), 22.9% by S Fe(<60 g/dl), 34.3% by SF(<15 g/dl), 48.6% by TIBC(>360 g/dl) and 20.0% by TS(%)(<15%). 15 subjective symptoms were measured and the high prevalence symptoms were 'cold hands and feet' and 'tired out easily'. The correlation between hemotological indices and subjective symptoms was evaluated. The hemoglobin level was negatively correlated with 'cold hands and feet', 'short breath when climbing', 'fragile nail', 'inflammed inner mouth', 'pale face' and 'scaly tetter'.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.21-34
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• 1976

The diagnosis of iron deficiency rests upon the correct evaluation of body iron stores. Morphological interpretation of blood film and the red cell indices are not reliable and often absent in mild iron deficiency. Serum iron levels and iron-binding capacity are more sensitive indices of iron deficiency, but they are often normal in iron depletion and mild iron deficiency anemia. They are also subject to many variables which may introduce substantial errors and influenced by many pathologic and physiologic states. Examination of the bone marrow aspirate for stainable iron has been regarded as one of the most sensitive and reliable diagnostic method for detecting iron deficiency, but this also has limitations. Thus, there is still need for a more practical, but sensitive and reliable substitute as a screening test of iron deficiency. Pollack et al. (1965) observed that the intestinal absorption of cobalt was raised in iron-deficient rats and Valberg et al. (1969) found that cobalt absorption was elevated in patients with iron deficiency. A direct correlation was demonstrated between the amounts of radioiron and radiocobalt absorbed. Unlike iron, excess cobalt was excreted by the kidney, the percentage of radioactivity in the urine being directly related to the percentage absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Recently a test based on the urinary excretion of an oral dose of $^{57}Co$ has been proposed as a method for detecting iron deficiency. To assess the diagnostic value of urinary cobalt excretion test cobaltous chloride labelled with $1{\mu}Ci\;of\;^{58}Co$ was given by mouth and the percentage of the test dose excreted in the urine was measured by a gamma counter. The mean 24 hour urinary cobalt excretion in control subjects with normal iron stores was 6.1% ($1.9{\sim}15.2%$). Cobalt excretion was markedly increased in patients with iron deficiency and excreted more than 29% of the dose. In contrast, patients with anemia due to causes other than iron deficiency excreted less than 27%. Hence, 24 hour urinary cobalt excretion of 27% or less in a patient with anemia suggets that the primary cause of the anemia is not iron deficiency. A value greater than 27% in an anemic subject suggests that the anemia is caused by iron deficiency. The cobalt excretion test is a simple, sensitive and accurate method for the assessment of body iron stores. It may be particularly valuable in the epidemiological studies of iron deficiency and repeated evaluations of the body iron stores.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.726-733
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• 2001

This study was designed to investigate the effect of iron supplementation on the iron nutritional status and anemia of high school girls in Korea. One hundred thirty-five female students residing in Ulian metropolitan city in Korea diagnosed as having anemia or iron deficiency participated in this study. One or two tablets of iron medicine(80-160 mg Fe as ferrous sulfate/day) were administered to all participants for 3 months. Subjects were evaluated with a questionaire, measurement of hematological indices before and after iron supplementation. The average height and weight of respondents were 161.62 $\pm$ 4.68 cm and 53.87 $\pm$ 6.10 kg, respectively. Daily intakes of energy were 1597.8 $\pm$ 302.35 kcal(76.0% RDA). Iron intakes were 13.72 $\pm$ 4.17 mg (76.3% of RDA) and calcium intakes were 580.74 $\pm$ 177.21(72.5% of RDA) before iron supp]ementation. At baseline, 63% of all participants had depleted store(serum ferritin 12 ug/ml and/or transferrin saturation(TS) < 14%). After iron supplementation, this proportion declined to 19.3%. 55.6% of subjects had 12 ug/m1 of basal ferritin concentration before iron supplementation, and this proportion declined to 16.3% after iron supplementation. The basal hemoglobin(Hb) concentrations were 12.13 $\pm$ 1.01 g/dl and they increased to 12.79 $\pm$ 0.81 g/dl, which showed significant difference artier iron supplementation(p < 0.001). The basal ferritin and TS(%) were 13.24 $\pm$ 11.66 ng/ml, 18.42 $\pm$ 10.12% and they significantly increased to 32.95 $\pm$ 21.14 ng/ml, 33.53 $\pm$ 16.64%, respectively(p < 0.001). The basal total iron binding protein(TIBC) were 467.81 $\pm$ 97.24 ug/dl and they significantly decreased to 325.05 $\pm$ 48.89 ug/dl(p < 0.001) after iron supplementation. The number of tablets administered was positively correlated with serum iron(t = 0.553, p < 0.01), serum ferritin(t = 0.557, p < 0.01), TS(%)(t = 0.588, p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with TIBC(t= -0.409, p <0.01). The anemia symptoms such as ‘Shortening of breath when going upstairs(p < 0.01)’, ‘Tired out easily(p < 0.01)’, ‘Feeling blue(p < 0.001)’, ‘Decreased ability to concentrate(p < 0.01)’, and ‘Poor memory(p < 0.001)’improved significantly after iron supplementation. In this study, daily iron supplementations were efficacious in improving the iron status and anemic symptoms of female high school students. Regular check-ups and nutrition education for adolescents are necessary because of their vulnerability to iron deficiency. Further studies are needed to determine the minimum effective dose of iron and to examine the adverse effect of long-term iron supplementation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.1720-1725
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• 2011

Aspartic acid chelated iron (Asp-Fe) was synthesized by a new method using calcium carbonate, aspartic acid, and ferrous sulfate. This study was carried out to investigate the bioavailability of Asp-Fe in iron-deficient rats. We divided the rats into four experimental groups. The first was the normal diet control group, or NC. The second was the no treated control group of iron-deficient (ID) rats, or ID+C. The third was the heme-iron (heme-Fe) treated group of ID rats, ID+heme-Fe. And the fourth was the Asp-Fe treated group of ID rats, or ID+Asp-Fe. There were no differences among any of the experimental groups in diet consumption, change of body weight, or the weight of the livers, kidneys, or spleens. After 7 days of feeding, the iron content in the sera of the ID+Asp-Fe group (175.2 ${\mu}g$/dL) and the ID+heme-Fe group (140.8 ${\mu}g$/dL) were significantly higher than that of the ID-C group (96.1 ${\mu}g$/dL). The total iron binding capacity (TIBC) of the ID+Asp-Fe group (735.4 ${\mu}g$/dL) was significantly normalized compared to the ID+C group (841.9 ${\mu}g$/dL) or ID+heme-Fe group (824.6 ${\mu}g$/dL). The hematocrit level of the ID+Asp-Fe group was increased to normal levels, but there was no statistical difference among ID groups. The absorption ratio of heme-Fe was 21.3% and that of Asp-Fe was 50.2%, which indicates a 2.3 times higher ratio in comparison with heme iron. With the above results we found that Asp-Fe seems to be an efficient form of iron to supply iron deficient rats in order to cure them of anemia. Thus, these findings suggest that aspartic acid chelated iron has the potential to serve as a functional food related to iron metabolism.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of early low-dose iron supplementation in term breast-fed infants. Methods: Eighty-seven healthy term infants were divided into 3 groups: A, formula-fed; B, breast-fed only; S, breast-fed with iron supplementation (5 mg/day from 2 months of age). We measured ferritin, iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation rate (TFSAT), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and red cell distribution width (RDW) at birth, 6 months of age, and 12 months of age. Results: 1) At 6 months of age, ferritin, iron, TFSAT, and Hb in Group B were the lowest among the 3 groups, whereas TIBC and RDW were the highest. The incidences of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in Group B were 33% and 30%, respectively, significantly higher than those seen in Groups A (5% and 8%, respectively) and S (7% and 5%, respectively). 2) At 12 months of age, ferritin, TFSAT, Hb, MCV, and MCH in Group B were the lowest among the 3 groups, whereas TIBC and RDW were the highest. Iron and Hct did not differ among the 3 groups. The incidences of ID and IDA in Group B were 64% and 50%, respectively, again significantly higher than those seen in Groups A (4% and 3%, respectively) and S (9% and 7%, respectively). Conclusion: The prevalences of ID and IDA were higher in breast-fed infants than in formula-fed infants, even at 6 months of age. Early and low-dose iron supplementation in breast-fed infants improved iron status and lowered the incidence of iron deficiency anemia in early infancy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.8
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• pp.827-833
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• 2008

Purpose : Early identification of iron deficiency in young children is essential to prevent damaging long-term consequences. It is often difficult for the pediatrician to know which indices should be used when diagnosing these conditions especially in hospitalized young children. This study investigated the clinical significances of reticulocyte hemoglobin content in young children with acute infection. Methods : We studied 69 young children aged from 6 to 24 months admitted with acute infection in a single center. Venous blood was drawn to determine hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), hemoglobin content (CH), reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr), and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) using ADVIA 120 (Bayer Diagnostics, NY, USA). For evaluating iron status, iron, total iron binding capacity, ferritin and transferrin saturation (Tfsat) were determined. Iron deficiency was defined as Tfsat less than 20%, and iron deficiency anemia as Tfsat less than 20% and Hb level less than 11 g/dL. Results : In all, 47 were iron deficient; 17 of these had iron deficiency anemia. CHr was the only significant predictor of iron deficiency (likelihood ratio test=71.25; odds ratio=0.67; P<0.05). Plasma ferritin level had no predictive value (P=0.519). Subjects with CHr less than 27.4 pg had lower Hb level, MCH, CH, Tfsat, and iron levels than those with CHr 27.4 pg or more (P<0.05 for all). Conclusion : CHr level was a sensitive screening tool and the strongest predictor of iron deficiency in hospitalized infants with acute infection; it was cost saving and avoiding additional sampling. However its reference range should be established.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.68-79
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• 2007

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional problem that affects people of all ages in both industrialized and developing countries. Especially, college women are the target population for dietary iron deficiency. Recent study showed that the nutritional status of college women was poor because of insufficient food consumption and repeatabled weight reduction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of nutrition counseling on the diet quality, nutritional status of iron and hematic parameters in college women who have self-recognized anemic symptoms. Anthropometric and dietary assessments as well as blood analysis, were carried out before and after the 8 weeks of nutrition counseling. During the experimental period, the 31 subjects were given nutrition education by a clinical dietitian. Nutrition counseling consisted of pathology of anemia, nutrition information for iron deficient anemia, diet information of balanced meals and menu choices for eating out. As a result, the frequencies of consumption of legumen and vegetables significantly increased after nutrition counseling(p<0.05). Daily intakes of protein, especially animal protein, vitamin E, niacin, heme iron, and zinc significantly increased(p<0.05). After nutrition counseling, some self-reported clinical symptoms such as 'dizziness', 'fatigue', 'short of breath', 'headache', 'sleeplessness', and 'beating heart' were significantly improved. Serum levels of transferrin(p<0.01) and total iron binding capacity levels(p<0.05) significantly increased. It could be concluded that the 8 weeks of nutrition counseling might be effective on quality of diet as well as iron status and it might also improve the some hematic parameters in college women who have self-recognized anemic symptoms.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.952-961
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to compare nutrient intakes and the serum iron status of 74 Food and Nutrition major, and 45 non-major, female students at a university in Incheon. This cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire and the data were analyzed by the SPSS 10.0 program. The nutrient intake data collected from three-day dietary recalls were analyzed by the Computer Aided Nutritional Analysis Program. Anthropometric data and hematological indices of iron in the blood were measured. Average heights, weights, body fat and mid-upper arm circumference of Food and Nutrition major and non-major female students were 160.3 cm, 53.5kg, 25.8%, 23.7cm and 159.8cm, 55.5kg, 28.9%, 24.8cm, respectively. There were significant differences in body fat percentage and mid-upper arm circumference between the major and non-major students. In all subjects, daily dietary intakes of nutrients- except protein, vitarrlin B1, vitamin C and phosphorus - were lower than the Korean RDA. In particular, calcium and iron intakes of all subjects were under 60% of the Korean RDA. Values of RBC (red blood cell) count, Hb (hemoglobin), Hct (hematocrit), MCV (mean cell volume), MCH (mean cell hemoglobin), and MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) of the non-major students were significantly higher compared to those of the major students. The diastolic blood pressure of the major students was negatively correlated with MCV, MCH, TS, and serum iron levels. Triceps skinfold thickness, mid-upper arm circumference and waist-to-hip ratios of the non-major students were negatively correlated with TIBC. Fat intake was positively correlated with RBC, Hb, Hct, and TIBC (total iron binding capacity) in the major students. Vitamin C intake was positively correlated with serum iron in the major students. Carbohydrate intake was positively correlated with Hb, Hct, and MCHC in the non-major students. Niacin and iron intakes were positively correlated with Hb and Hct in the non-major students. Therefore, nutrition education is necessary for female university students to improve nutritional status and to practice optimal nutrition strategies. (Korean J Nutrition 35(9) : 952~961, 2002)

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.58 no.8
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• pp.283-287
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• 2015

Purpose: We assessed the relationships between iron and vitamin D statuses in breastfed infants and their mothers and evaluated the determinants of iron and vitamin D deficiencies in breastfed infants. Methods: Seventy breastfed infants aged 4-24 months and their mothers participated in this study from February 2012 to May 2013. Complete blood counts, total iron binding capacity, and levels of C-reactive protein, iron, ferritin, calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in infants and their mothers were measured. Results: A history of maternal prepregnancy anemia was associated with lower ferritin and 25(OH)D levels in both infants and their mothers. The 25(OH)D level of infants correlated with maternal 25(OH) D levels. The independent risk factors for iron deficiency in breastfed infants were the duration of breastfeeding (odds ratio [OR], 6.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-39.2; P=0.04) and infant body weight (OR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.07-6.56; P=0.04). The determinants for vitamin D deficiency were the infant's age (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.02-0.97; P=0.046) and maternal 25(OH)D level (OR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.59-0.92; P=0.01). Conclusion: A maternal history of prepregnancy anemia requiring iron therapy was associated with lower current ferritin and 25(OH)D levels in both infants and their mothers. Therefore, physicians should monitor not only iron but also vitamin D levels in infants who are breastfed by mothers who had prepregnancy anemia.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2005

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is a copper protein with important functions in iron homeostasis and in inflammation. Cp mRNA expression is induced by interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$ in U937 monocytic cells, but synthesis of Cp protein is halted after about 12 h by transcript-specific translational silencing. The silencing mechanism requires binding of a 4-component cytosolic inhibitor complex, IFN-gamma-activated inhibitor of translation (GAIT), to a defined structural element (GAIT element) in the Cp 3'-UTR. Translational silencing of Cp mRNA requires the essential proteins of mRNA circularization, suggesting that the translational inhibition requires end-to-end mRNA closure. These studies describe a new mechanism of translational control, and may shed light on the role that macrophage-derived Cp plays at the intersection of iron homeostasis and inflammation.