The comparison of effects of iron sucrose and iron dextran on the distribution and function of peripheral lymphocytes in rats

It is well-known that end stage renal failure (ESRD) is associated with immunocompromisation that leads to increased tendency to infections. Infections is the second leading cause of mortality (16%) in hemodialysis patients after cardiovascular diseases. It has been reported that iron frequently used in the treatment of anemia in ESRD patients is one of the reasons that increase tendency to infections. There are studies that reveal the negative effects of iron on both innate and acquired immune systems. In the studies it was shown that iron load caused impairment of neutrophilic chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and intracellular killing capacity, and leads to dysfunction of macrophages. Also iron use attenuates cellular immunity by decreasing the number of T helper lymphoccytes (CD4+), increasing T suppressor lymphocytes (CD8+), and suppressing the pathway of T helper 1 lymphocytes. Yet there is no evidence about comparison of effects of different iron preparations as well as iron sucrose and iron dextran which frequently used in clinic on the distribution of lymphocytes in the literatureBackground: The comparison of effects of iron sucrose and iron dextran on the distribution and function of peripheral lymphocytes in rats.Material and method: The study included 18 Wistar albino rats. Rats were divided into three groups; group 1: control group ( saline group, SF), group 2: iron sucrose group (DS), and group 3: iron dextrane group (DD). Pheripheral blood samples were drawn from all groups before study. SF group was given normal saline as 1 ml/kg, DS group was given iron sucruose in dosage of 10 mg/kg, and DD group recived iron dextrane as 10 mg/kg intravenously at hour 0, and then blood samples were drawn again at hours 3, 6, and 24.Results: In comparison with SF and DD groups, DS group revealed significant decrease in the percentage of T helper lymphocytes at 3, 6, and 24 hours. The percentage of T suppressor lymphocytes in DS group showed significant increase at 6 and 24 hours when compared to SF group. There was no difference between DS group and DD group in terms of percentage of T suppressor lymphocytes. The ratio of CD4 to CD8 in DS group was significantly low compared to both SF and DD groups in all hours. Activated T lymphocyte( CD3+/CD25+) percentage was significantly decreased in DS group at 3,6, and 24 hours against SF and DD groups. The percentage of antigen presentig cells (RT1B) in DD group was higher than that of DS group at 24-hour. In comparison with DS and SF groups, DS group revealed significant decrease in the percentage of antigen presenting cells at 6 and 24 hours. B lymphocyte percentage at 6-hour, and the level of IFN-? at 3-hour in DS group were significantly low compared to other groups. We detected higher iron and transferrin saturation levels in DS group than others.Conclusion: In this study conducted in healty rats, iron sucrose, compared to iron dextran, had a negative effect on distribution of lymphocytes by decreasing T helper and activated T cells, antigen presenting cells and B lymphocytes, and increasing T suppressor cells. Studies are needed to do in those with renal failure.Key words: iron sucrose, iron dextran, distribution of lymphocytes, immunity