Korean J Vet Res.  2012 Dec;52(4):263-268.

Iron-fortified recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae producing Sus scrofa ferritin heavy-chain recovers iron deficiency in mice

• Lim H
• Kim JT
• Kim MD
• Rhee KJ
• Jung BD

Abstract

In this study, we produced iron-fortified yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) producing Sus scrofa ferritin heavy-chain to provide iron supplementation in anemic piglets. We determined whether iron-ferritin accumulated in recombinant yeasts could improve iron deficiency in mice. C57BL/6 male mice exposed to Fe-deficient diet for 2 weeks were given a single dose of ferrous ammonium sulfate (FAS), ferritin-producing recombinant yeast (APO), or APO reacted with iron (Fe2+) (FER). The bioavailability of recombinant yeasts was examined by measuring body weight gain, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit value 1 week later. In addition, ferritin protein levels were evaluated by western blot analysis and iron stores in tissues were measured by inductively coupled plasma spectrometer. We found that anemic mice treated with FER exhibited increased levels of ferritin heavy-chain in spleen and liver. Consistently, this treatment restored the iron concentration in these tissues. In addition, this treatment significantly increased hemoglobin value and the hematocrit ratio. Furthermore, FER treatment significantly enhanced body weight gain. These results suggest that the iron-fortified recombinant yeast strain is bioavailable.

Keyword

anemia; ferritin; iron; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Sus scrofa

MeSH Terms

Ammonium Sulfate
Anemia
Animals
Biological Availability
Blotting, Western
Body Weight
Diet
Ferritins
Ferrous Compounds
Hematocrit
Hemoglobins
Humans
Iron
Liver
Male
Mice
Plasma
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Saccharomyces
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Spleen
Sprains and Strains
Sus scrofa
Yeasts
Ammonium Sulfate
Ferritins
Ferrous Compounds
Hemoglobins
Iron
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds