Radioiron utilization and gossypol acetic acid in male rats

The 24-h incorporation of 59Fe into circulating red blood cells, bone marrow, urine, liver, spleen, and skeletal muscle was measured in splenectomized and sham-splenectomized rats which had received a daily, oral dose of gossypol acetic acid (20 mg GAA/kg body wt) for 91 days. A significant decrease in total body weight gain was observed in all GAA treated animals. Splenectomized rats dosed with GAA exhibited a significant decrease in hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and erythrocyte count. A significant increase in 59Fe incorporation by red blood cells and a decrease in hepatic incorporation of 59Fe indicate a preferential utilization of iron in erythropoiesis among GAA treated animals.