Vitamin A deficiency regulates the expression of ferritin in young male Wistar rats

ABSTRACT Objective Iron deficiency and vitamin A deficiency are two of the main micronutrient deficiencies. Both micronutrients are essential for human life and children's development. This study aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin A deficiency on ferritin and transferrin receptors' expression and its relationship with iron deficiency. Methods Five diets with different vitamin A-to-iron ratios were given to thirty five 21-day-old male Wistar rats (separated in groups of seven animals each). The animals received the diet for six weeks before being euthanized. Serum iron and retinol levels were measured as biochemical parameters. Their duodenums, spleens, and livers were analyzed for the expression of ferritin and transferrin receptors by Western Blotting. Results Regarding biochemical parameters, the results show that when both vitamin A and iron are insufficient, the serum iron content (74.74µg/dL) is significantly lower than the control group (255.86µg/dL). The results also show that vitamin A deficiency does not influence the expression of the transferrin receptor, but only of the ferritin one. Conclusion Vitamin A deficiency regulates the expression of ferritin in young male Wistar rats.

摘要
研究目的：缺铁与维生素A缺乏是两类最主要的微量营养素缺乏症，二者均为维持人体生命活动及儿童生长发育所必需的微量营养素。本研究旨在探讨维生素A缺乏对铁蛋白与转铁蛋白受体表达的影响，及其与缺铁状态的关联。
研究方法：将35只21日龄雄性Wistar大鼠按每组7只分为5组，饲喂5种不同维生素A与铁配比的日粮。所有大鼠持续饲喂该日粮6周后实施安乐死。检测血清铁与视黄醇水平作为生化检测指标；采用蛋白质印迹法（Western Blotting）对其十二指肠、脾脏及肝脏组织中铁蛋白与转铁蛋白受体的表达水平进行分析。
研究结果：生化指标检测结果显示，当维生素A与铁均摄入不足时，实验组血清铁含量（74.74μg/dL）显著低于对照组（255.86μg/dL）。此外，结果表明维生素A缺乏仅对铁蛋白的表达存在影响，而对转铁蛋白受体的表达无显著作用。
研究结论：维生素A缺乏可调控幼年雄性Wistar大鼠体内铁蛋白的表达。