IN-VITRO BINDING OF IRON WITH THE CATION-EXCHANGE RESIN SODIUM POLYSTYRENE SULFONATE

Study objective: To investigate the ability of the cation-exchange res in sodium polystyrene sulfonate to bind iron from ferrous sulfate solu tions, along with the effects of pH on binding. Methods: We performed a series of in vitro experiments in which various concentrations of ir on and sodium polystyrene sulfonate were combined and free ferrous iro n was measured with the use of a colorimetric assay. Results: Sodium p olystyrene sulfonate bound iron from ferrous sulfate solutions at pH 2 and pH 7. Slightly less binding of free ferrous iron was demonstrated in experiments performed at pH 7 than in those performed at pH 2. At pH 2, 98% of iron was bound; at pH 7, 95% of iron was bound. Conclusio n: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate may be a useful therapy in acute iron poisoning once safety and efficacy are determined with the use of in v ivo models.