The pathogenesis of iron deficiency anemia : Experimental iron deficiency derived from renal injury induced by Puromycin aminonucleoside

To clarify the pathogenesis of idiopathic iron deficiency anemia, small amounts of Puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) which is known to be nephrotoxic, was administered repeatedly to induce continuous urinary iron excretion in rats. Urinary iron, serum iron, stored iron content and hemoglobin concentration were investigated. Urinary iron excretion was increased by PAN administration along with increased excretion of urinary transferrin. Consequently, a large amount of urinary iron seemed to be was observed with respect to continuous urinary iron excretion, manifesting normocytic hypochromic anemia at 13th week. These results suggest that prolonged loss of small amounts of iron through the urinary tract causes iron deficiency without alinical manifestation of ranal failure