Differential effect of high dietary iron on alpha-tocopherol and retinol levels in the liver and serum of mice fed olive oil- and corn oil-enriched diets

Nutr Res. 2008 Apr;28(4):263-9. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2008.01.007.

Abstract

The influence of dietary fats on cellular alpha-tocopherol and retinol uptake in iron overload is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a high-iron diet on the retinol and alpha-tocopherol levels in mice fed olive oil- and corn oil-enriched diets. Mice were fed for 3 weeks a standard mouse chow (the control group) and diets enriched with 5% by weight of corn oil or olive oil. Diets of the mice fed corn oil and olive oil were additionally supplemented with 1% by weight carbonyl iron. Both dietary oils and iron increased the liver iron uptake. High-iron feeding induced oxidative stress in mice liver, measured as a thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance level. Both fats and iron induced changes in the liver fatty acid composition. Liver retinol and alpha-tocopherol stores increased with iron supplementation in the olive oil-enriched diet, with a simultaneous decrease in serum. The results suggest that the influx of alpha-tocopherol and retinol from serum to the liver is induced by high dietary iron. This redistribution appears to be stronger for retinol than for alpha-tocopherol and is also higher in mice fed olive oil than in mice fed corn oil, suggesting that the composition of dietary lipids is important in the treatment of high-iron tissue conditions. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the increase of hepatic alpha-tocopherol and retinol levels in the olive oil-based diet is a dietary-dependent responsive mechanism that probably is not primarily related to an increased risk of oxidative damage induced by high-iron intake.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Corn Oil / administration & dosage
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism*
  • Iron, Dietary / pharmacology*
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Olive Oil
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Plant Oils / administration & dosage
  • Random Allocation
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / metabolism
  • Vitamin A / blood
  • Vitamin A / metabolism*
  • alpha-Tocopherol / blood
  • alpha-Tocopherol / metabolism*

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • Iron, Dietary
  • Olive Oil
  • Plant Oils
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
  • Vitamin A
  • Corn Oil
  • alpha-Tocopherol