Antioxidant activity of a Lachnum YM226 melanin–iron complex and its influence on cytokine production in mice with iron deficiency anemia

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the protective effects of an orally administered Lachnum YM226 melanin–iron complex (LM–Fe) against iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in mice. The IDA mouse model was established by feeding mice with iron-deficient food. Different doses of LM–Fe were given to the anaemic mice via intragastric administration, with FeCl₃ and FeSO₄ used as positive controls. After the iron supplement administration, it was observed that LM–Fe could significantly improve the decreased haemoglobin (Hb) level, and normalize the serum iron (SI) level, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) and serum ferritin (SF) of the anaemic mice in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, treatment with LM–Fe significantly increased the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxidase dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in plasma to normal or better. Furthermore, the levels of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were obviously decreased in the LM–Fe supplemented groups compared with the model group, while the level of interleukin-2 (IL-2) was significantly increased. In conclusion, LM–Fe was efficient at ameliorating the anemia symptoms, improving the activities of antioxidant enzymes and adjusting the immune dysfunction of anaemic mice. Thus, these results demonstrated that LM–Fe might be exploited as an efficient and multifunctional iron supplement.