Application of magnetic sector thermal ionization mass spectrometry to studies of erythrocyte iron incorporation in small children

✍ Scribed by Steven A. Abrams; Jianping Wen; Kimberly O. O'Brien; Janice E. Stuff; Lily K. Liang

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1994
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 471 KB
• Volume: 23
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1076-5174
• DOI: 10.1002/bms.1200231209

✦ Synopsis

The optimal evaluation of iron metabolism requires the administration of two isotopes of iron. However, highprecision measurement of isotopic ratios from blood samples obtained after administration of two stable isotopes of iron to human subjects has not previously been reported. Using a cation-exchange system to isolate iron from blood samples, we found that high-precision (<0.2%) measurements of s'Fe/56Fe and S7Fe/s6Fe could be performed using magnetic sector thermal ionization mass spectrometry. Clinical studies in four 1-year-old infants showed that this technique could be used to demonstrate a lower rate of iron absorption in small children given an iron supplement ("Fe) with milk compared to those given iron ("Fe and ferrous sulfate) with ascorbic acid. This technique will enable the evaluation of iron metabolism in populations in whom the use of radioactive iron tracers is not appropriate.