New research reveals an integrated oral iron therapy that restores hemoglobin and protects the microbiome, offering a promising solution for iron-deficiency anemia with fewer side effects.
Iron-deficiency anemia affects nearly one in three people worldwide, making it the most common nutritional deficiency.1 Its impacts range from fatigue and shortness of breath to poor pregnancy outcomes, chest pain, and pale skin. Causes vary—from blood loss and high iron demands during pregnancy to metabolic malabsorption and insufficient dietary intake.
Iron is essential for oxygen transport, immunity, cell division, and energy metabolism. Yet, while the recommended daily intake is 10–15 mg, only 1–2 mg is typically absorbed.2 For those with anemia, oral supplements are standard, but they come with a catch: most of the iron isn’t absorbed, accumulating in the gut and triggering inflammation and microbiome imbalance.3 This can create a vicious cycle, as gut inflammation itself can worsen iron loss.
To address these challenges, researchers in India have developed an oral supplement that combines iron dextran, soluble millet dietary fiber, and the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus, all encapsulated within a thiolated hyaluronic acid hydrogel.4 This synbiotic formulation aims for targeted, sustained release, improving both iron bioavailability and gut health.
Building on the team's earlier work with alginate and starch hydrogels,5 they tested the stability and release of iron and probiotics in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. In mouse models of diet-induced anemia, the new supplement restored hemoglobin levels within two weeks. Molecular analyses showed:
- Normalization of iron transport genes (DMT-1 and DcytB).
- Increased ferritin protein expression (indicating replenished iron stores).
- Reduced markers of gut inflammation (lower TNF-α and IL-6 levels).
These results, published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, suggest the supplement not only delivers iron effectively but also helps maintain a healthy gut environment.
This integrated approach could mark a step forward in treating iron-deficiency anemia, offering improved absorption and fewer side effects. While further studies are needed, the findings point toward a future where iron therapy supports both systemic health and the microbiome.
Explore related research in ACS journals:
Molecular Insight into the Binding of Heme to β-Lactoglobulin: Effect on the Intestinal Iron Absorption and Microbiota
Jianglan Yuan, Congxin Lei, Yuchen Duan, Hanxin Zeng, Junzhe Ma, Dongliang Chen, and Xu Kang*
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c10181
Antianemic Activity, Inhibition of Oxidative Stress, and Iron Supplementation in Mice with Iron-Deficiency Anemia through HG-Hawthorn Pectin–Iron(III) Complexes
Haocheng Zhang, Wenxian Sun, Jiawei Qi, Abdul Qayum, Jie Li*, and Chuanhe Zhu*
DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c01905
Antarctic Krill Protein Amyloid Fibrils as a Novel Iron Carrier for the Improvement of Iron Deficiency
Xueqing He, Songyi Lin, Lei Chen, Yihan Huang, Jinhui Hu, and Na Sun*
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c11046
Indoor Dust Increases the Risk of Iron-Loading Anemia in Mice through Exogenous Iron-Induced Ineffective Erythropoiesis
Lingyu Ren, Guo Hou, Li Ma, Hao Wang, Tingting Ku, Guangke Li*, and Nan Sang*
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5c03663
Two Birds with One Stone: Empowering Probiotic with Nanoenzyme for the Treatment of Inflammatory and Anemia through Oral Administration
Ning Zhao, Yong-Jiao Han, Chaojie Wang, Jiaxu Li, Ling-Hui Song, Li-Ping Lv, Ping Ma, Jiang Deng*, and Yan-Yu Zhang*
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5c04452
References
- Kumar, A. et al. Iron Deficiency Anaemia: Pathophysiology, Assessment, Practical Management. BMJ Open Gastroenterol. 2022, 9 (1), e000759.
- Piskin, E. et al. Iron Absorption: Factors, Limitations, and Improvement Methods. ACS Omega 2022, 7, 24, 20441–20456.
- Malesza, I. J. et al. The Dark Side of Iron: The Relationship between Iron, Inflammation and Gut Microbiota in Selected Diseases Associated with Iron Deficiency Anaemia─a Narrative Review. Nutrients 2022, 14 (17), 3478.
- Kaul, S. et al. Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel-Based Oral Delivery of Iron Supplemented with Probiotic and Prebiotic Ameliorates Iron-Deficiency Anaemia. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2025, 17, 39, 54496–54512.
- Sagar, P. et al. pH-Triggered, Synbiotic Hydrogel Beads for In Vivo Therapy of Iron Deficiency Anemia and Reduced Inflammatory Response. ACS Appl. Bio Mater. 2021, 4, 10, 7467–7484.
