Interrelationship of dietary ascorbic acid and iron on the tissue distribution of ascorbic acid, iron and copper in female guinea pigs.

Female guinea pigs were fed diets varied in ascorbic acid and iron concentration for 21 days. Tissue concentrations of ascorbic acid, iron (total, ferritin and hemosiderin) and copper were determined in blood, liver and spleen. High dietary ascorbic acid (10 times control) increased tissue ascorbic acid levels and produced a decrease in liver ferritin and hemosiderin, without altering liver or plasma total iron. Conversely, splenic total iron increased with no changes in ferritin and hemosiderin iron. The increased ascorbic acid did lower copper levels in blood and liver, 39% and 52%, respectively. In guinea pigs maintained on an ascorbic acid-free diet for 21 days, a decrease in hepatic ferritin and total iron was observed, as well as an increase in splenic hemosiderin and total iron. No change in plasma iron was observed nor were any of the copper pools altered. Intake of high dietary iron (10 times control) increased hepatic iron stores and produced a reciprocal decrease in hepatic copper. Even though splenic iron increased, no significant change in copper resulted. The significance of these nutrient interactions is discussed.