In vitro binding of iron with the cation-exchange resin sodium polystyrene sulfonate

To investigate the ability of the cation exchange resin sodium polystyrene sulfonate to bind iron from ferrous sulfate solutions, along with the effects of pH on binding.

We performed a series of in vitro experiments in which various concentrations of iron and sodium polystyrene sulfonate were combined and free ferrous iron was measured with the use of a colorimetric assay.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate bound iron from ferrous sulfate solutions at pH 2 and pH 7. Slightly less binding of free ferrous iron was demonstrated in experiments performed at pH 7 than in those performed at pH 2. At pH 2, 98% of iron was bound, at pH 7, 95% of iron was bound.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate may be a useful therapy in acute iron poisoning once safety and efficacy are determined with the use of in vivo models.