Anti-anaemia efficacy of β-lactoglobulin hydrolysate-iron complex on iron-deficient anaemic rats

The effects of orally administered β-lactoglobulin hydrolysate-iron complex (β-LGH-Fe) on haematological and biochemical parameters in anaemic rats were evaluated. Female weaning Sprague–Dawley rats were fed with iron-deficient diet to induce iron deficiency anaemia. After 6 weeks, the obtained anaemic rats were divided into five groups: iron deficiency control group (iron-deficient diet without β-LGH-Fe complex supplementation, IDC); three groups supplemented with different dosages of β-LGH-Fe complex (0.5 mg Fe/kg BW, iron-deficient diet with low β-LGH-Fe, IDLFe; 2.0 mg Fe/kg BW, iron-deficient diet with medium β-LGH-Fe, IDMF; 4.0 mg Fe/kg BW, iron-deficient diet with high β-LGH-Fe, IDHFe); and ferrous sulphate-supplemented group at a dosage of 2.0 mg Fe/kg BW.

β-LGH-Fe complex could significantly improve hematocrit and haemoglobin decrease, and normalise the serum iron level, total iron-binding capacity and transferrin saturation of anaemic rats in a dose-dependent manner. Serum ferritin content and hepatic nonheme iron level were also increased. In addition, the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxidase dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in both plasma and liver homogenate were improved. The production of malondialdehyde and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) decreased.

It suggests that β-LGH-Fe complex can ameliorate iron deficiency anaemia, which might make it a potential ingredient with anti-anaemia activity.