Influence of reserpine on iron absorption in rats

The aim of our investigations was to define the influence of reserpine on iron absorption in rats. Iron absorption was determined in vivo at the 24th hour and in situ in a tied-off intestinal segment. Five-days treatment with reserpine (1 mg/kg b.wt) led to suppressed bone marrow erythropoiesis, manifested a considerable decrease in reticulocyte count and in a percentage of Fe-59-incorporation into newly formed erythrocytes. Increased plasma iron and decreased plasma ferritin levels were found. Iron absorption was found to be significantly increased, in spite of the suppressed erythropoiesis. The major conclusions of the experiments are, that reserpine interferes with the regulation of iron metabolism and erythropoiesis.