Iron deficiency in the rat: effects on phenylalanine metabolism

Concentrations of phenylalanine in the plasma were markedly elevated in iron-deficient rats and appeared to vary directly with the degree of iron deficiency. Plasma concentrations of phenylalanine returned to control levels within one week after treatment of the iron-deficient rats with iron dextran. The elevated levels of plasma phenylalanine were probably not produced by a deficiency in liver phenylalanine hydroxylase because levels of activity of the enzyme were found to be normal in the livers of the iron-deficient animals.