Norepinephrine turnover in iron deficiency: effect of two semi-purified diets

The effects of two dietary treatments on norepinephrine turnover in iron deficiency were examined. These studies were designed to bridge the gap between previous studies of poor thermoregulation in iron deficiency which used a diet (HMW, Hubbel-Mendel-Wakeman formulation) relatively high in fat (46% of calories) and moderate in carbohydrate (46% of calories) and the more recent studies of thermogenesis in iron deficiency which use the AIN-76 recommended diet which is relatively low in fat (11% of calories) and high in carbohydrate (67% of calories). Iron deficient rats grew less well and had depressed thyroid hormone concentrations regardless of dietary treatment group. The HMW diet significantly increased norepinephrine turnover in heart in iron deficient animals relative to AIN diet but had no effect in controls. Brown adipose tissue norepinephrine turnover was threefold higher in HMW rats fed a low iron diet, and only 67 percent higher in control rats. This study demonstrates that certain modest macronutrient manipulations affect norepinephrine content and turnover more in iron deficient than controls. However, abnormalities in thyroid hormone concentrations persist in iron deficient animals regardless of these dietary treatments.