Iron Absorption From Iron Enriched Aspergillus Oryzae in Females Using Stable Isotope Methodology

Iron Absorption From Iron Enriched Aspergillus Oryzae in Females Using Stable Iron Isotope Methodology.

The objective of this study was to compare the iron absorption from ferric pyrophosphate enriched Aspergillus oryzae (ASP-p) to commonly used ferric pyrophosphate (FePP) and ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) when fortified in chicken bouillon, using stable isotope methodology.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Iron Absorption
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Ferric pyrophosphate; Dietary supplement: Aspiron; Dietary supplement: Ferrous sulfate

Detailed Description

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) remains the most common nutrient deficiency, globally. Consequences such as decreased cognition, growth impairment, and morbidity and mortality arise from inadequate iron intake. Many technological challenges are presented in fortifying foods with iron, as inorganic iron salts are known to cause organoleptic problems in the food. As a result, finding an iron fortificant that doesn't alter taste, smell or stability of the food is ideal, however most suitable iron fortificants contain low bioavailability. Thirty-five non-anemic female subjects with ferritin ≤ 40 µg/L were recruited for both studies (17 in study I; 18 in study II). In both studies, each meal contained a total of 4.2 mg of added iron fortificants to a test meal containing 6.6 g of chicken bouillon. Participants were randomized to consume either meal A or B, followed by B or C. In study I, subjects consumed a total of 10 mg 57Fe as FePP and 2 mg 58Fe as ASP-p each over three consecutive days. Study II, subjects consumed a total of 10 mg 57Fe as FeSO4 and 2 mg 58Fe as ASP-p over 2 weekends. Blood samples collected at baseline were used to measure iron status indicators such as serum ferritin, C-reactive protein, hepcidin and hematocrit. Fourteen days following final isotope dosing, whole blood samples were collected and the fractional iron absorption of each iron fortificant containing labelled stable isotopes was measured via thermal ionization mass spectrometry with estimation of 80% incorporation into the hemoglobin.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 35
• Phase: Not Applicable

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 16 years to 33 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Suboptimal iron stores (Serum ferritin < 40 µg/L)
• BMI in range 18.5 - 24.9 kg/m2
• Willing to consumed meals containing iron supplement
• Willing to discontinue blood donation two weeks prior and during the study
• Willing to discontinue vitamin and mineral supplement use during the study
• Willing to provide a 15 ml blood for initial screening and 30 ml blood during the study (15 ml at each visit for 2 times in 24 days)
• Willing to attend 8 lab visits during the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant
• Lactating
• Smoker
• Anemic (hemoglobin < 120 g/L)
• Has gastrointestinal disease/condition that can affect absorption
• Vegetarian
• Allergic to corn, wheat, soybean nor fungal supplements

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Ferric pyrophosphate; Study I group was required to consume a total of 3 meals. Each meal contained 4.2 mg added iron compounds.; 57FePP (95.8%) 3.49 mg; Aspergillus oryzae (unenriched) 0.025 mg; FePP natural abundance 0.685 mg. Subjects received iron fortificants in a meal composed of zucchini, cabbage, carrot (42g each), onion (24g), corn oil (6.3 g), jasmine rice (75g dw), and flavored granulated chicken bouillon (6.6g). All meals were consumed in a fasted state with nothing to eat or drink (besides water) for 3 hours following consumption.	Dietary supplement: Ferric pyrophosphate; 57 Iron isotopically labeled FePP powder.
Experimental: Aspiron; The Aspiron group was required to follow the same protocol as the 57Fe as FePP, with the exception of consuming 58Fe ASP.; ASP-p (8% Fe; natural abundance) 3.516 mg; 58ASP-p (5% Fe; 99.5% enrichment) 0.68 mg; 4.2 total mg of Fe	Dietary supplement: Aspiron; 58 Iron isotope intrinsically labeled Aspergillus oryzae.
Other: Ferrous sulfate; The FeSO4 study group was required to consume a total of 3 meals. Each meal contained 4.2 mg added iron compounds. .; Aspergillus oryzae (unenriched) 0.027 mg; 57FeSO4 (95.4%) 3.18 mg; 4.2 total mg of Fe	Dietary supplement: Ferrous sulfate; 57 Iron isotopically labeled FeSO4 powder.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Percentage Fractional Iron absorption of FePP, FeS)4 and ASP	Isotope enrichment in the whole blood samples after 14 days of feeding the meals assuming 80% incorporation of iron into the hemoglobin. Circulating iron was calculated from blood volume, height (cm), weight (kg) and hemoglobin (g/dL).	Whole blood collected 14 days following isotope consumption to allow for enrichment.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Iowa State University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Bries AE, Hurrell RF, Reddy MB. Iron Absorption from Bouillon Fortified with Iron-Enriched Aspergillus oryzae Is Higher Than That Fortified with Ferric Pyrophosphate in Young Women. J Nutr. 2020 May 1;150(5):1109-1115. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxaa035.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 28, 2016
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 3, 2017
• Study Completion (Actual): June 20, 2017

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 6, 2018
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 6, 2018
• First Posted (Actual): July 13, 2018

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 23, 2018
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 19, 2018
• Last Verified: August 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: stable isotope; ferrous sulfate; aspergillus oryzae; Iron Bioavailability; Iron Fortification; ferric pyrophosphate
• Other Study ID Numbers: ASP Study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No
• IPD Plan Description: Publish results in a journal.