الفهرس 
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Abstract
Iron is an essential metal involved in a wide spectrum of physiological functions. However, excess iron is toxic because it promotes the generation of free radicals, which lead to oxidative stress and oxidative tissue damage. Vitamin E is the most potent liposoluble antioxidant and has the potential to improve tolerance of iron supplementation and prevent further tissue damage.
Purpose
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of iron supplementation with or without vitamin E on body weight gain, food intake, feed efficiency ratio, relative organs weight, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit level, iron profile, liver function, lipid profile, lipid peroxidation level, antioxidant enzymes activity, total antioxidant capacity, vitamin E level and histological architecture of liver tissues in male albino rats.
Materials and methods
Seventy-two rats were randomly divided into nine groups (8 rats/group):
group 1: Rats fed on standard diet (control group).
group 2: Rates fed on standard diet containing 105 mg iron/kg diet.
group 3: Rats fed on standard diet containing 105 mg iron + 375 IU vitamin E/kg diet.
group 4: Rats fed on standard diet containing 175 mg iron/kg diet.
group 5: Rats fed on standard diet containing 175 mg iron + 375 IU vitamin E/kg diet.
group 6: Rats fed on standard diet containing 350 mg iron/kg diet.
group 7: Rats fed on standard diet containing 350 mg iron + 375 IU vitamin E/kg diet.
group 8: Rats fed on standard diet containing 1400 mg iron/kg diet.
group 9: Rats fed on standard diet containing 1400 mg iron + 375 IU vitamin E/kg diet.
• Body weight gain, food intake, feed efficiency ratio and relative organs weight were assessed.
• Hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit level were determined.
• Plasma iron profile (iron, total iron binding capacity, ferritin and transferrin saturation) was estimated.
• Plasma liver function tests (ALT, AST and ALP activities) were assessed.
• Plasma lipid profile (TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C and VLDL-C concentrations) was assessed.
• Plasma lipid peroxidation (MDA level) was determined.
• Antioxidant enzymes (plasma CAT and erythrocytes SOD enzymes activity) were detected.
• Plasma total antioxidant capacity was measured.
• Plasma vitamin E level was determined.
• Liver tissues were examined by histological analysis.
Results
Biological studies
Feeding iron-supplemented diets resulted in decrements of body weight gain, food intake and feed efficiency ratio, with concomitant increases of relative weight of liver, heart, kidneys and spleen, as compared to the control group.
Feeding iron+vitamin E-supplemented diets was found to ameliorate iron overload-induced changes in body weight gain, food intake, feed efficiency ratio and relative organs weight, in comparison to iron-overloaded groups.
Hematological studies:
Feeding iron-supplemented diets resulted in reductions of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, when compared to the control group.
Feeding iron+vitamin E-supplemented diets was found to cause a remarkable elevation of hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, in comparison to iron-overloaded groups.
Biochemical studies:
• Iron profile
Feeding iron-supplemented diets resulted in elevations of plasma levels of iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation, with concomitant depletions of total iron binding capacity, as compared to the control group.
Feeding iron+vitamin E-supplemented diets resulted in a decrease of plasma levels of iron, ferritin and transferrin saturation, while increasing total iron binding capacity, in comparison to iron-overloaded groups.
• Liver function tests
Feeding iron-supplemented diets resulted in increased plasma activities of ALT, AST and ALP, when compared to the control group.
Feeding iron+vitamin E-supplemented diets resulted in a remarkable decrease of plasma activities of ALT, AST and ALP, in comparison to iron-overloaded groups.
• Lipid profile
Feeding iron-supplemented diets resulted in elevations of plasma levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C, with concomitant depletions of HDL-C plasma levels, when compared to the control group.
Feeding iron+vitamin E-supplemented diets resulted in a remarkable decrease of plasma levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C, while increasing HDL-C plasma levels, in comparison to iron-overloaded groups.
• Lipid peroxidation level (plasma MDA concentration)
Feeding iron-supplemented diets resulted in increased plasma MDA concentration, when compared to the control group.
Feeding iron+vitamin E-supplemented diets resulted in a remarkable decrease of plasma MDA concentration, in comparison to iron-overloaded groups.
• Antioxidant enzymes
Feeding iron-supplemented diets resulted in decreased activities of erythrocyte SOD and plasma CAT, when compared to the control group.
Feeding iron+vitamin E-supplemented diets was found to cause a remarkable increase of erythrocyte SOD and plasma CAT activities, in comparison to iron-overloaded groups.
• Total antioxidant capacity
Feeding iron-supplemented diets resulted in diminished plasma total antioxidant capacity, when compared to the control group.
Feeding iron+vitamin E-supplemented diets was found to cause a remarkable increase of plasma total antioxidant capacity, in comparison to iron-overloaded groups.
• Vitamin E
Feeding iron-supplemented diets resulted in decreased plasma vitamin E levels, when compared to the control group.
Feeding iron+vitamin E-supplemented diets was found to cause a remarkable increase of plasma vitamin E levels, in comparison to iron-overloaded groups.
Histological studies
Feeding iron-supplemented diets resulted in liver tissue alterations, including fatty change of the hepatocytes, congestion of the hepatoportal blood vessel, Kupffer cells activation, fibrin thrombus and hepatic necrosis, when compared to the control group.
Feeding iron+vitamin E-supplemented diets was found to ameliorate iron overload-induced histological changes, in comparison to iron-overloaded groups.