Effect of high-dose intravenous iron injection on hepatic function in a rat model of cirrhosis

Objective To investigate the hepatic effects of high-dose intravenous (IV) iron, including those on liver function and the degree of fibrosis, in a rat model of cirrhosis. Methods We evenly allocated 25 Sprague–Dawley rats into five groups: normal rats (control group), cirrhotic rats receiving IV normal saline (liver cirrhosis LC group), and cirrhotic rats receiving 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg IV ferric carboxymaltose (LC-iron20, LC-iron40, and LC-iron80 group, respectively). Biochemical parameters were compared at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The degrees of hepatic fibrosis and iron deposition were evaluated. Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were also compared. Results There were no significant differences in the 28-day serum alanine aminotransferase levels among the LC-iron20, LC-iron40, and LC-iron80 groups (69 ± 7, 1003 ± 127, 1064 ± 309, 919 ± 346, and 820 ± 195 IU/L in the control, LC, LC-iron20, LC-iron40, and LC-iron80 groups, respectively). Hepatic iron accumulation increased in a dose-dependent manner, but the degree of hepatic fibrosis was comparable among the groups. The inflammatory and oxidative stress marker levels did not differ significantly according to the IV iron dose. Conclusions Administration of IV iron at various high doses appears safe in our rat model of cirrhosis.