Synthesis of a new anti-anaemic iron lysozyme glutarate complex and pharmacological studies in animals.

Iron lysozyme glutarate (ABC 1020) is a new soluble complex with an anti-anaemic activity superior to that of ferritin, ferrous sulphate and iron succinyl protein. Iron serum concentrations after treatment with ABC 1020 are higher than after ferritin and iron succinyl protein and lower than after ferrous sulphate treatment. Anaemic adult rats and rats born from dams with anaemia induced by an iron-deficient diet and by repeated bleeding showed considerable, dose-related improvement when treated with ABC 1020, which gave markedly better results than ferritin, iron succinyl protein and ferrous sulphate. Treatment with all four compounds improved the hematological and blood chemistry parameters considered, and reversed cardio- and splenomegaly. Preliminary data show that ABC 1020 is well tolerated, does not induce gastric lesions and has a high bioavailability.