Abstract

Iron absorption in man is inversely related to body iron stores and serum ferritin concentration. A negative correlation between intestinal iron absorption and the amount of storage iron in the body has been confirmed in the rat and the hypothesis that absorption may be regulated through the mediation of ferritin has been tested. There was no difference in mucosal iron uptake or absorption between rats undergoing a jugular infusion of ferritin and those infused with saline despite a hundredfold difference in circulating ferritin concentration.