Iron peptide complex does not increase blood iron concentration at the same extent as ferrous sulfate after oral ingestion in healthy adult males

Iron-deficient anemia continues to be one of the major nutritional and public health problems all over the world. Although ferrous sulfate is largely used for the prevention and treatment of this deficiency, the gastrointestinal side effects preclude its use in some cases. This study aimed to compare the effect of iron peptide complex and ferrous sulfate on serum iron and to examine serial serum iron levels. Ten volunteers were submitted to 5 different treatments: Control (C), Ferrous sulfate 60 mg (FS), Iron peptide 60 mg (IP1), Iron peptide 80 mg (IP2) and Iron peptide 60 mg plus diet (IPD). In the first treatment (C), empty capsules were given, whereas in the second (FS), third (IP1), fourth (IP2) and fifth (IPD) treatments, ferrous sulfate 60 mg, iron peptide complex 60 mg, iron peptide complex 80 mg and iron peptide complex 60 mg plus diet were given in a randomized crossover design, with a washout period of 1 week. The products were offered as capsules and blood samples were drawn at the following time points: 0, 30, 60, 120, 240, 480 and 720 minutes after oral intake. FS produced higher serum iron levels than Control, IP1, IP2 and IPD (P< 0.05). The areas under the curves for serum iron for the different compounds gave AUCFS > AUCC = AUCIP1 = AUCIP2 = AUCIPD. Conclusions: The iron peptide complex did not increase blood iron FS C IP1 IP2 IPD concentration as compared to control and ferrous sulfate at the respective time points