Electron microscopic study on the cardiac hypertrophy induced by iron deficiency anaemia in the rat

In this investigation the ultrastructure of the hypertrophied myocardium of anaemic iron-deficient rats was studied. Iron deficiency anaemia was induced by feeding rats on an iron-deficient diet for 30 days from the time of weaning. Anaemia was indicated by lowering of blood haemoglobin levels. The results clearly demonstrated that experimentally-induced iron deficiency anaemia brings about striking morphological changes in the heart of the rat. These changes were characterized by marked cellular hypertrophy together with distinct cellular degeneration and interstitial fibrosis. It is noteworthy that ultrastructural features of myocardial hypertrophy and degeneration occurred simultaneously. The potential role of noradrenaline in the pathogenesis of these changes is discussed.