Iron Complexes with Antarctic Krill–Derived Peptides Show Superior Effectiveness to Their Original Protein–Iron Complexes in Mice with Iron Deficiency Anemia

Abstract

Antarctic krill protein–iron complex and peptide–iron complex were acquired to investigate their iron bioavailability, expression of iron-regulated genes, and in vivo antioxidant capacity. Results indicated that the Antarctic krill peptide–iron complex significantly increased the hemoglobin (Hb), serum iron (SI), and iron contents in the liver and spleen in iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) mice (p p < 0.05). Moreover, Antarctic krill peptide–iron complex could enhance the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), reduce the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in IDA mice compared with the protein–iron complex, and reduce the cell damage caused by IDA. Therefore, these results indicated that Antarctic krill peptide–iron complex could be used as a highly efficient and multifunctional iron supplement.

Keywords

• IDA mice
• Antarctic krill peptide–iron
• iron-regulated genes
• iron bioavailability
• in vivo antioxidant capacity