Influence of nickel chloride on iron-deficiency in rats

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of nickel chloride on dietary iron deficiency in rats. The degree of iron deficiency was relatively moderate, but a more generalized anemia occurred in iron deficiency, in absence of nickel chloride. Moderate iron deficiency anemia induced increased lactate-dehydrogenase activity of serum and bone marrow, perhaps related to the decreased production of energy by oxidative means. Nickel chloride, perhaps for its ability to change iron absorption, for the maintenance of bone marrow metabolism and for to increase ceruloplasmin activity, inhibited the alteration on hemoglobin synthesis. Furthermore, nickel chloride possibly for its action on copper content and Cu-Zn superoxide-dismutase activity, inhibits the shortening of the red cell life span, caused by superoxide radicals.