Comparison of anti-anaemic effects of iron protein succinylate (ITF 282) and ferrous sulfate in the rat.

The effects of iron protein succinylate (ITF 282), an iron complex insoluble under acid conditions, and ferrous sulfate were studied in the rat. After a single oral administration of ITF 282, the concentration of free iron in the stomach was less than the 10% of that found after a corresponding dose of ferrous sulfate and the effect of induction of diarrhoea was significantly less important than that of ferrous sulfate. Iron absorption and kinetics were evaluated by measuring serum iron after oral administration of equidoses of iron to the anaemic rat. The results showed that ferrous sulfate induces higher serum iron levels than ITF 282. The anti-anaemic effects of the two iron products were studied during 4 weeks of treatment (3 mg iron/kg/day): the data obtained confirmed that ferrous sulfate is significantly more potent in increasing serum iron, but in contrast both compounds are equally active in restoring normal haemoglobin values.