Delivery systems for improving iron uptake in anemia.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review strategies to improve iron absorption and uptake in the body, focusing on overcoming disadvantages of current iron therapies.
Results Summary
The study highlights the effectiveness of nanotechnology, food fortification, and novel delivery systems (e.g., transdermal methods) in enhancing iron uptake. It also discusses the use of natural and synthetic molecules to improve iron delivery, particularly for patients non-compliant with oral therapy.
Population
Broad population with iron deficiency, including chronic conditions like chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oral supplementation of iron either from dietary or synthetic sources | neutral | iron deficiency in anemia | - | - | has been the frontline therapy for treating | #1 |
intravenous administration | neutral | chronic anemia | patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKD) | - | is provided in | #2 |
Nanotechnology combined with the food fortification processes | increase | iron uptake by enterocytes | - | - | help develop new delivery systems to improve | #3 |
naturally obtained products such as polysaccharides, peptides, proteins, and new synthetic molecules | neutral | iron-carrier systems | - | - | have been used in fabrication of | #4 |
transdermal iron delivery systems such as microneedle arrays or iontophoresis, or the discovery of new molecules | neutral | patients non-compliant to oral therapy | patients non-compliant to oral therapy | - | proved to be an effective way for delivering iron in | #5 |
Anemia poses a threat to a broad population globally as depleted hemoglobin leads to a plethora of conditions, and the most common cause includes iron deficiency. Iron is an essential element important for erythropoiesis, DNA synthesis, protection of the immune system, energy production, and cognitive function and hence should be maintained at appropriate levels. Various proteins are involved in transporting and absorption of iron, activation of heme synthesis, and RBC production that could be possible targets to improve iron delivery. Oral supplementation of iron either from dietary or synthetic sources has been the frontline therapy for treating iron deficiency in anemia. At the same time, intravenous administration is provided in chronic anemia, such as chronic kidney diseases (CKD). This review focuses on the strategies developed to overcome the disadvantages of available iron therapies and increase iron absorption and uptake in the body to restore iron content. Nanotechnology combined with the food fortification processes gained attention as they help develop new delivery systems to improve iron uptake by enterocytes. Furthermore, naturally obtained products such as polysaccharides, peptides, proteins, and new synthetic molecules have been used in fabrication of iron-carrier systems. The establishment of transdermal iron delivery systems such as microneedle arrays or iontophoresis, or the discovery of new molecules also proved to be an effective way for delivering iron in patients non-compliant to oral therapy.