Effects of ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), citrate, ascorbate, succinate, and sorbitol on the absorption and postabsorptive distribution of Fe59Cl3 in the rat were studied, using an isolated loop technique. Citrate most effectively promoted iron absorption, with ascorbate, EDTA, and succinate following in that order. Sorbitol seemed without effect. Control animals with access to food until time of experiment absorbed more radioiron than did fasted controls. Partial trypsin hydrolysis permitted demonstration that succinate-exposed gut cells most avidly retained iron, while EDTA led to least cellular retention. Postabsorptive distribution among blood, liver, spleen, long bones, kidneys, and urine was unremarkable except that EDTA promoted marked radioiron urinary excretion. EDTA may pass through the gut wall as an intact iron chelate. A pattern of actions during iron absorption is proposed for EDTA, citrate, ascorbate, and succinate.
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Hopping et al. (1963) studied this question.