Brief Report: Utilization of Iron by Scorbutic Guinea Pigs

Abstract

Administration of iron to guinea pigs during the progress of development of scurvy did not check the onset of anemia but enhanced it. Iron treatment also could not correct hypoferemia observed in the scorbutic condition although absorption of iron from the intestinal tract was not defective. The absorbed iron was deposited in tissues as hemosiderin. Ascorbic acid seems to be necessary for utilization of iron in the synthesis of hemoglobin.