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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Measurement of Tissue Non-Heme Iron Content using a Bathophenanthroline-Based Colorimetric Assay
Published on: January 31, 2022
Vitamin B6 deficiency alters tissue iron concentrations in the Wistar rat
Irene Mackraj1, Govender Thirumala, Premjith Gathiram
1Discipline of Human Physiology and Physiological Chemistry, School of Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa. mackraji@ukzn.ac.za
Purpose:
We investigated the effect of a vitamin B6 deficiency and pair-feeding on tissue trace element status.
Method:
Tissue zinc, copper and iron concentrations were measured in 3 groups of young, male Wistar rats receiving a diet of 3.5mg/kg (control group), 0mg/kg (deficient group) and a pair-fed group over 8 weeks. The pair-fed group received the same diet consumed by the control. Tissue trace element analysis was performed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and plasma vitamin B6 status was determined using HPLC.
Results:
Deficiency resulted in elevation in liver iron concentration and reduction in muscle iron concentration. Muscle copper concentrations were reduced in the pair-fed and deficient groups vs. the control group. Tissue zinc concentrations remained unaffected by the deficiency. Kidney iron and heart copper levels were elevated in the pair-fed group.
Conclusions:
The liver and muscle iron changes were due to the deficiency and not to reduced calorie intake and the latter may be due to impaired heme synthesis. The differences in copper between the groups were due to reduced food intake. Zinc seems to form a fixed pool in these animals. A dietary deficiency of vitamin B6 impacts on the trace element status of certain tissues in key metabolic tissues and hence needs to be factored into the amelioration of the condition.
