RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Exogenous natural surfactant (ENS) labeled with 99mTc shows an elevated lung specificity allowing the acquisition of high-quality images for ventilation scintigraphy. METHODS: The methods for 99mTc-ENS quality control (physical properties, pH determination, radiochemical studies, and biologic studies) were evaluated and validated. RESULTS: The physical properties of the nonradioactive precursor and of the radiopharmaceutical were analyzed as general descriptors of the product. The pH of the radiopharmaceutical was determined by using pH test papers, a method described and validated in the United States Pharmacopeia. Chromatographic studies performed using the acetone/Whatman-1 paper system were validated as a method to evaluate the radiochemical purity of the 99mTc-ENS. Biodistribution studies on rats after intratracheal administration were validated as a method to estimate the radiopharmaceutical biodistribution in humans. CONCLUSION: The proposed method for 99mTc-ENS quality control studies and stability studies was evaluated and validated following international standards.
Assuntos
Marcação por Isótopo/métodos , Pulmão/metabolismo , Surfactantes Pulmonares/farmacocinética , Tecnécio/farmacocinética , Animais , Avaliação Pré-Clínica de Medicamentos/métodos , Avaliação Pré-Clínica de Medicamentos/normas , Marcação por Isótopo/normas , Pulmão/diagnóstico por imagem , Taxa de Depuração Metabólica , Especificidade de Órgãos , Surfactantes Pulmonares/análise , Surfactantes Pulmonares/normas , Controle de Qualidade , Cintilografia , Compostos Radiofarmacêuticos/análise , Compostos Radiofarmacêuticos/farmacocinética , Compostos Radiofarmacêuticos/normas , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Tecnécio/análise , Tecnécio/normas , Distribuição TecidualRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to analyze beta-adrenergic receptor (betaAR) regulation of T-lymphocyte proliferation in mice according to different thyroid hormone statuses. METHODS: T cells from eu-, hypo- (by propylthiouracil treatment) and hyperthyroid (by thyroxine, T4 administration) mice were purified and specific radioligand binding assays were performed. The effects of the beta-agonist isoproterenol (ISO) on intracellular levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) were determined. Mitogen-induced T-cell proliferation was measured by [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation. Finally, protein kinase C (PKC) activity in cytosol and membrane fractions were determined using radiolabelled enzymatic substrates. RESULTS: Adecrease or a non-significant increase in betaAR number was found on T lymphocytes from hypo- and hyperthyroid mice compared to euthyroid controls. ISO stimulation of cAMP levels was lower in hypothyroid and higher in hyperthyroid T lymphocytes compared to controls. T-selective mitogen-induced proliferation was increased in T4-treated animals, but decreased in hypothyroid mice. During the peak of proliferation, downregulation of betaAR was observed in all animals. However, a higher or a lower decrease was observed in hyper- and hypothyroid T cells, respectively. In parallel, a higher translocation of PKC activity was observed in hyperthyroid cells, and a lower one was found in hypothyroid lymphocytes with respect to controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that intracellular signals triggered by mitogen activation, namely PKC, would be related to differential betaAR downregulation in T lymphocytes depending on the thyroid hormone status, contributing to the distinct proliferative responses found in hypo- or hyperthyroidism compared to the euthyroid state.
Assuntos
Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Mitógenos/farmacologia , Neuroimunomodulação/imunologia , Receptores Adrenérgicos beta/efeitos dos fármacos , Linfócitos T/metabolismo , Glândula Tireoide/metabolismo , Agonistas Adrenérgicos beta/farmacologia , Animais , AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Regulação para Baixo/efeitos dos fármacos , Regulação para Baixo/imunologia , Feminino , Hipertireoidismo/induzido quimicamente , Hipertireoidismo/imunologia , Hipertireoidismo/metabolismo , Hipotireoidismo/induzido quimicamente , Hipotireoidismo/imunologia , Hipotireoidismo/metabolismo , Isoproterenol/farmacologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Neuroimunomodulação/genética , Propiltiouracila/farmacologia , Proteína Quinase C/metabolismo , Transporte Proteico/efeitos dos fármacos , Transporte Proteico/imunologia , Agregação de Receptores/efeitos dos fármacos , Agregação de Receptores/imunologia , Receptores Adrenérgicos beta/imunologia , Receptores Adrenérgicos beta/metabolismo , Linfócitos T/efeitos dos fármacos , Linfócitos T/imunologia , Timidina/metabolismo , Glândula Tireoide/imunologia , Tiroxina/farmacologiaRESUMO
Iron is an essential micronutrient involved in multiple biochemical and physiological process. In this review we discuss the most relevant aspect of its metabolism in order to reach a better comprehension of the relevant roll that this micronutrient plays in human health.
Assuntos
Ferro/metabolismo , Micronutrientes/metabolismo , Absorção , Humanos , Ferro/farmacocinética , Micronutrientes/farmacocinéticaRESUMO
The iron bioavailability and acute oral toxicity in rats of a ferrous gluconate compound stabilized with glycine (SFG), designed for food fortification, was studied in this work by means of the prophylactic method and the Wilcoxon method, respectively. For the former studies, SFG was homogeneously added to a basal diet of low iron content, reaching a final iron concentration of 20.1 +/- 2.4 mg Fe/kg diet. A reference standard diet using ferrous sulfate as an iron-fortifying source (19.0 +/- 2.1 mg Fe/kg diet) and a control diet without iron additions (9.3 +/- 1.4 mg Fe/kg diet) were prepared in the laboratory in a similar way. These diets were administered to three different groups of weaning rats during 23 d as the only type of solid nourishment. The iron bioavailability of SFG was calculated as the relationship between the mass of iron incorporated into hemoglobin during the treatment and the total iron intake per animal. This parameter resulted in 36.6 +/- 6.2% for SFG, whereas a value of 35.4 +/- 8.0% was obtained for ferrous sulfate. The acute toxicological studies were performed in two groups of 70 female and 70 male Sprague-Dawley rats that were administered increasing doses of iron from SFG. The LD50 values of 1775 and 1831 mg SFG/kg body wt were obtained for female and male rats, respectively, evidencing that SFG can be considered as a safe compound from a toxicological point of view.
Assuntos
Compostos Ferrosos/metabolismo , Compostos Ferrosos/toxicidade , Alimentos Fortificados/toxicidade , Ferro/metabolismo , Animais , Disponibilidade Biológica , Feminino , Masculino , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-DawleyRESUMO
Iron plays many roles in human physiology. In this article, we summarize the basic and current knowledge of this essential micronutrient on human metabolism.
Assuntos
Ferro/metabolismo , Animais , Transporte Biológico , Células/metabolismo , Humanos , Absorção Intestinal/fisiologia , Ferro/sangue , Ferro/farmacocinética , Ferro/fisiologia , Estado Nutricional , Distribuição TecidualRESUMO
Microencapsulated ferrous sulfate (SFE-171) and ferric orthophosphate in Petit-Suisse cheese were examined for iron bioavailability by the prophylactic method. The iron sources were industrially added to different samples of Petit-Suisse cheese, which were mixed with other food components in our laboratory before use. A reference standard diet inclusive of nonmicroencapsulated ferrous sulfate and a control diet low in iron content were prepared in the laboratory. The final iron content in the fortified diets was approximately 15 mg Fe/kg diet. These diets were administered to weaning rats for 23 days. The iron bioavailability was evaluated as the ratio of iron incorporated into hemoglobin to oral iron intake, thereby being estimated as 62.6 +/- 8.8% for ferrous sulfate and 59.2 +/- 10.6% for SFE-171, which were significantly effective at p < 0.01 compared to 43.4 +/- 10.5% for ferric orthophosphate. It thus turned out that SFE-171 was stable through industrial processing with Petit-Suisse cheese as the food vehicle and served as an iron fortifier equal to ferrous sulfate in bioavailability.
Assuntos
Anemia Ferropriva/prevenção & controle , Queijo , Alimentos Fortificados , Hemoglobinas/química , Ferro da Dieta/farmacocinética , Administração Oral , Animais , Disponibilidade Biológica , Queijo/análise , Composição de Medicamentos , Feminino , Compostos Férricos/farmacocinética , Compostos Ferrosos/farmacocinética , Fosfatidilcolinas/farmacocinética , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , DesmameRESUMO
The overlapping of three-dimensional structures of 5,6-dihydrobenzo(a)carbazole (DHBC) derivatives over the structure of 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OH-TAM), by means of the MDL CHEMLAB 11.0 computational program, shows a reasonable structural and spatial resemblance. This finding raised the hypothesis of their possible antitumoral activity, similar to that of tamoxifen (TAM). A number of DHBCs with an alkyl chain and a second basic nitrogen as substituent were synthesized in our laboratory and their possible antitumoral activity was tested by means of: 1) competitive radioligand assays to determine relative drug affinity for the estrogen receptor (ER); 2) in vivo studies, giving the synthetic drugs subcutaneously (1 mg kg-1 day-1) to Sprague-Dawley rats with N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU)-induced mammary tumors; and 3) in vitro cell proliferation experiments employing the soft agar clonogenic technique. Besides, studies on toxicity and histopathological analyses of organs and tumors from treated animals were performed. Results obtained showed that: 1) relative binding affinities (RBA) for the ER were similar to that of TAM; 2) some structures showed significant antitumoral activity and induced tumoral regression similar to TAM; and 3) these compounds had in vitro inhibitory effect on cell proliferation. Even though all the compounds of the series of synthesized DHBCs showed affinity for the ER similar to TAM, the results of in vivo experiments confirmed the crucial role of hydroxyl groups in the molecule and of the interatomic distance between them, similar to that of estradiol, as well as the necessary presence of the aminoalkyl chain on the annular N atom. However, the effect of alkyl chain enlargement in the nitrogen substituent on the biological activity of those drugs is as yet unclear.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Carbazóis/farmacologia , Animais , Estradiol/metabolismo , Feminino , Neoplasias Mamárias Experimentais/induzido quimicamente , Neoplasias Mamárias Experimentais/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Mamárias Experimentais/patologia , Metilnitrosoureia , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Relação Estrutura-Atividade , Tamoxifeno/farmacologiaRESUMO
We compared the absorption of BioZn, SFE-171, SO4Fe (reference standard) and SO4Zn (reference standard) alone or in combination in water and in an infant dessert. When mineral interactions were evaluated, zinc and iron were administered in a 1:1 molar relation. There 160 rats divided in 16 groups of 10 animals each which received: SO(4)65Zn, Bio65Zn, SO(4)65Zn + SO4Fe, Bio65Zn + SFE-171, SO(4)59Fe, 59SFE-171, SO(4)59Fe + SO4Zn and 59SFE-171 + BioZn either in water or an infant dessert. The results showed that BioZn has bioavailability similar to SO4Zn both in water (23.36 +/- 3.14% vs. 21.48 +/- 6.03%. respectively) and in an infant dessert (19.89 +/- 3.27% vs. 18.31 +/- 4.76%, respectively). When these zinc compounds were administered with iron no statistical difference of zinc absorption was found (Bio65Zn + SFE-171 in water 22.70 +/- 6.30%, Bio65Zn + SFE-171 in the infant dessert 18.07 +/- 5.89%, SO(4)65Zn + SO4Fe in water 24.67 +/- 5.70% and SO(4)65Zn + SO4Fe in the infant desert 20.56 +/- 5.20%). For iron, the absorption of 59SFE-171 in water was higher (p < .01) than SO(4)59Fe in water and 59SFE-171 + BioZn in water (32.35 +/- 8.32% vs. 26.27 +/- 8.83% vs. 23.69 +/- 8.37%, respectively). Iron absorption from SO(4)59Fe in water was higher (p < .01) than SO(4)59Fe + SO4Zn in water (26.27 +/- 8.83% vs. 20.21 +/- 8.72%, respectively). Iron absorption in the infant dessert was higher (p < .01) for 59SFE-171 + BioZn than SO(4)59Fe, 59SFE-171 and SO(4)59Fe + SO4Zn (22.81 +/- 6.97% vs. 16.12 +/- 6.14% vs. 16.90 +/- 6.23% vs. 15.04 +/- 6.25%, respectively). Statistical differences (p < .01) were found between iron absorption from 59SFE-171 in water and the infant dessert (32.35 +/- 8.32% vs. 16.90 +/- 6.23%, respectively) and for SO(4)59Fe (26.27 +/- 8.83% vs. 16.12 +/- 6.14% respectively). Zinc and iron interactions evaluated in a 1:1 molar relation of the minerals were observed only for iron absorption in water but not in infant dessert. No negative effect was found for zinc absorption neither in water nor in infant dessert.
Assuntos
Absorção Intestinal/efeitos dos fármacos , Ferro/farmacocinética , Zinco/farmacocinética , Animais , Interações Medicamentosas , Feminino , Análise de Alimentos , Ferro/administração & dosagem , Ferro/farmacologia , Valor Nutritivo , Distribuição Aleatória , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Zinco/administração & dosagem , Zinco/farmacologiaRESUMO
Gastrointestinal lesions have been extensively reported in wild and captive marine mammals. However, their etiology remains unclear. In humans and other animals, chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers have been associated with Helicobacter sp. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the presence of Helicobacter sp. in the gastric juice, dental plaque, and saliva of marine mammals living in a controlled environment. Five dolphins (Tursiops gephyreus), one killer whale (Orcinus orca), one false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), three sea lions (Otaria flavescens), two elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), and two fur seals (Arctocephalus australis) were studied. Saliva, dental plaque, and gastric juice samples were examined for Helicobacter sp. using polymerase chain reaction. None of the gastric juice or saliva samples were positive for Helicobacter sp. However, Helicobacter sp. DNA was detected in dental plaque from two dolphins, suggesting the oral cavity might be a reservoir of this bacterium.
Assuntos
Placa Dentária/veterinária , Golfinhos , Infecções por Helicobacter/veterinária , Helicobacter/isolamento & purificação , Animais , Animais de Zoológico , DNA Bacteriano/análise , Placa Dentária/microbiologia , Feminino , Suco Gástrico/química , Suco Gástrico/microbiologia , Gastrite/microbiologia , Gastrite/veterinária , Helicobacter/genética , Infecções por Helicobacter/microbiologia , Masculino , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/veterinária , Saliva/microbiologia , Focas VerdadeirasRESUMO
This review concerns the importance of zinc in growth, development, and cognitive function in children and the deleterious consequences of its deficiency on children's health. Possible strategies to overcome zinc deficiency and the results of some supplementation trials are discussed.
Assuntos
Desenvolvimento Infantil/efeitos dos fármacos , Desenvolvimento Embrionário e Fetal/efeitos dos fármacos , Crescimento/efeitos dos fármacos , Zinco/farmacologia , Zinco/fisiologia , Estatura/efeitos dos fármacos , Peso Corporal/efeitos dos fármacos , Criança , Desenvolvimento Infantil/fisiologia , Pré-Escolar , Cognição/efeitos dos fármacos , Cognição/fisiologia , Desenvolvimento Embrionário e Fetal/fisiologia , Feminino , Crescimento/fisiologia , Humanos , Lactente , Lactação/metabolismo , Masculino , Gravidez , Zinco/deficiênciaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: We investigated the iron bioavailability of microencapsulated ferrous sulfate (SFE-171) in a diet based on powdered milk by using the prophylactic method in rats. METHODS: The SFE-171 was added into fluid milk and industrially processed into powdered milk, which was then mixed in our laboratory with a normalized diet (17.2 +/- 2.1 mg Fe/kg). A reference standard diet using ferrous sulfate as iron-fortifying source (19.8 p+/- 2.9 mg Fe/kg) and a control diet without added iron (4.6 +/- 0.8 mg Fe/kg) were prepared in the laboratory in a similar way. These diets were administered to different groups of weaning rats for 28 d as the only solid nourishment. The iron bioavailability of the different sources was calculated as the relation between the mass of iron incorporated into hemoglobin during the treatment and the total iron intake per animal. RESULTS: The iron bioavailability values of SFE-171 and ferrous sulfate in the fortified diets were 41.6 +/- 6.6% and 42.6 +/- 4.2%, respectively; these results were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than the iron bioavailability of the control diet (28.8 +/- 8.1%). CONCLUSION: These results showed that iron-fortified powdered milk can be produced from fluid milk fortified with SFE-171. The bioavailability of SFE-171 in this rat model was not altered by the manufacturing process.
Assuntos
Anemia Ferropriva/prevenção & controle , Compostos Ferrosos/farmacocinética , Alimentos Fortificados/normas , Ferro da Dieta/sangue , Leite/química , Animais , Disponibilidade Biológica , Composição de Medicamentos , Feminino , Leite/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , DesmameRESUMO
Food fortification is an important strategy to combat iron and zinc deficiency. This review covers the basic concepts of food fortification, as well as its advantages and disadvantages. The main characteristics of the most common zinc and iron compounds used in this procedure are also analyzed.
Assuntos
Deficiências Nutricionais/prevenção & controle , Alimentos Fortificados , Deficiências de Ferro , Zinco/deficiência , HumanosRESUMO
En el presente trabajo se muestran las ventajas de la utilización de un patrón de 129I para comprobar diariamente que la respuesta del equipo de detección es constante para el 125I y poder determinar además la eficiencia para dicho nucleido. Una alternativa para conocer ese valor consiste en la aplicación de un método de coincidencia. La comparación de los resultados logrados con uno y otro método, demuestra que ambos valores de eficiencia son iguales. Por otra parte se analizan algunas cuestiones relacionadas con las ecuaciones teóricas utilizadas
Assuntos
Humanos , Espectrometria gama/métodos , Radioisótopos do Iodo/análiseRESUMO
En el presente trabajo se muestran las ventajas de la utilización de un patrón de 129I para comprobar diariamente que la respuesta del equipo de detección es constante para el 125I y poder determinar además la eficiencia para dicho nucleido. Una alternativa para conocer ese valor consiste en la aplicación de un método de coincidencia. La comparación de los resultados logrados con uno y otro método, demuestra que ambos valores de eficiencia son iguales. Por otra parte se analizan algunas cuestiones relacionadas con las ecuaciones teóricas utilizadas (AU)
Assuntos
Humanos , Radioisótopos do Iodo/análise , Espectrometria gama/métodosRESUMO
Con el propósito de evaluar la efectividad de una dosis única de [33P]-Fosfato Crómico (Phosphocol(TM)) para el tratamiento de tumores sólidos, se realizaron estudios de bioeliminación, biodistribución y acción terapéutica en ratas portadoreas de tumores experimentales químicamente inducidos. Los resultados demuestran que el porcentaje de eliminación total es de 29.76 + 9.60 por ciento, siendo la eliminación por vía fecal de 23.28 + 8.81 por ciento y la urinaria de 6.48 + 2.11 por ciento. Los estudios de biodistribución revelan que el 51.61 + 5.82 por ciento de la actividad inyectada se encuentra en el tumor, mientras que en órganos donde existen células reticuloendoteliales, se encontró que el porcentaje de actividad es de 13.09 + 5.15 por ciento en hígado y de 2.88 + 1.23 por ciento en pulmón. Por otra parte, los estudios de acción terapéutica demuestran que el porcentaje de regresión tumoral (P.R.T.) es de 61.0 por ciento para los tumores inyectados. Cabe destacar que 4 de los animales tratados mostraron perfiles de bioeliminación, en los cuales, la misma aumentó abruptamente en algún momento del estudio. Estos resultados demuestran que no es recomendable el uso de este tipo de coloides en el tratamiento de tumores sólidos con moderado grado de vascularización, debido a que puede existir movilización del mismo y en consecuencia iradiación de otros órganos no afectados al tratamiento.
Assuntos
Animais , Ratos , Adenocarcinoma/radioterapia , Braquiterapia , Cromo/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias Mamárias Experimentais/radioterapia , Fosfatos/uso terapêutico , Cromo/administração & dosagem , Cromo/análise , Cromo/farmacocinética , Coloides , Neoplasias Mamárias Experimentais/induzido quimicamente , Fosfatos/administração & dosagem , Fosfatos/análise , Fosfatos/farmacocinética , Ratos Sprague-DawleyRESUMO
Con el propósito de evaluar la efectividad de una dosis única de [33P]-Fosfato Crómico (Phosphocol(TM)) para el tratamiento de tumores sólidos, se realizaron estudios de bioeliminación, biodistribución y acción terapéutica en ratas portadoreas de tumores experimentales químicamente inducidos. Los resultados demuestran que el porcentaje de eliminación total es de 29.76 + 9.60 por ciento, siendo la eliminación por vía fecal de 23.28 + 8.81 por ciento y la urinaria de 6.48 + 2.11 por ciento. Los estudios de biodistribución revelan que el 51.61 + 5.82 por ciento de la actividad inyectada se encuentra en el tumor, mientras que en órganos donde existen células reticuloendoteliales, se encontró que el porcentaje de actividad es de 13.09 + 5.15 por ciento en hígado y de 2.88 + 1.23 por ciento en pulmón. Por otra parte, los estudios de acción terapéutica demuestran que el porcentaje de regresión tumoral (P.R.T.) es de 61.0 por ciento para los tumores inyectados. Cabe destacar que 4 de los animales tratados mostraron perfiles de bioeliminación, en los cuales, la misma aumentó abruptamente en algún momento del estudio. Estos resultados demuestran que no es recomendable el uso de este tipo de coloides en el tratamiento de tumores sólidos con moderado grado de vascularización, debido a que puede existir movilización del mismo y en consecuencia iradiación de otros órganos no afectados al tratamiento. (AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Ratos , RESEARCH SUPPORT, NON-U.S. GOVT , Braquiterapia , Neoplasias Mamárias Experimentais/radioterapia , Adenocarcinoma/radioterapia , Fosfatos/uso terapêutico , Cromo/uso terapêutico , Coloides , Neoplasias Mamárias Experimentais/induzido quimicamente , Fosfatos/administração & dosagem , Fosfatos/análise , Fosfatos/farmacocinética , Cromo/administração & dosagem , Cromo/análise , Cromo/farmacocinética , Ratos Sprague-DawleyRESUMO
Iron deficiency is one of the most important nutritional problems in the world. The best method to overcome this problem is the fortification of foods with highly bioavailable iron. Fluid milk is a massive consumption food with an easy access and which is generally the only food intake during the first months of life. Therefore the fortification of fluid milk with highly biovalable iron and no detectable alterations of its sensorial characteristics was studied in the present work. This procedure was made possible using a new type of ferrous sulfate, stabilized and microencapsulated with soy lecithin (SFE-171). The iron concentration of the fortified milk is 12 mg per liter. In order study the iron absorption from milk fortifield with this product, SFE-171 was labeled with59 Fe and given to 29 volunteers with a normal iron status, each of which received an iron quantily of 3 mg in 250 ml of fluid milk. The average iron absorption was (10.2+4.7) per cent. This result shows that the iron given in this physiocochemical form has the advantage of a high biovailability and it is possible that this product will be the first attempt for an adequate solution of iron deficiency.
Assuntos
Adulto , Humanos , Masculino , Disponibilidade Biológica , Sulfato Ferroso , Ferro da Dieta/sangue , Leite Humano/química , Leite/química , Ciências da Nutrição , Anemia Ferropriva/prevenção & controleRESUMO
Iron deficiency is one of the most important nutritional problems in the world. The best method to overcome this problem is the fortification of foods with highly bioavailable iron. Fluid milk is a massive consumption food with an easy access and which is generally the only food intake during the first months of life. Therefore the fortification of fluid milk with highly biovalable iron and no detectable alterations of its sensorial characteristics was studied in the present work. This procedure was made possible using a new type of ferrous sulfate, stabilized and microencapsulated with soy lecithin (SFE-171). The iron concentration of the fortified milk is 12 mg per liter. In order study the iron absorption from milk fortifield with this product, SFE-171 was labeled with59 Fe and given to 29 volunteers with a normal iron status, each of which received an iron quantily of 3 mg in 250 ml of fluid milk. The average iron absorption was (10.2+4.7) per cent. This result shows that the iron given in this physiocochemical form has the advantage of a high biovailability and it is possible that this product will be the first attempt for an adequate solution of iron deficiency. (AU)