Stimulation of iron uptake and Hb synthesis in iron deficient reticulocytes.

The effect of inhibitors and intermediates of heme synthesis, inhibitor of globin synthesis, and some iron proteins on in vitro iron uptake and haemoglobin synthesis by reticulocytes of iron deficient subjects was investigated in this study. Lead, INH, ALA, mesoprophyrin, ferritin and albumin substantially increased iron uptake by iron deficient reticulocytes, while cycloheximide and glycine depressed it. The results showed that it is possible to stimulate iron uptake and Hb synthesis in iron deficiency by substances other than iron; the most effective and remarkable of them was ferritin.