CHRONIC FEEDING OF CARBONYL-IRON AND TMH-FERROCENE IN RATS - COMPARISON OF 2 IRON-OVERLOAD MODELS WITH DIFFERENT IRON-ABSORPTION

1. The use of carbonyl-iron and (3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl)-ferrocene (T MH-ferrocene) as a dietary iron-overload model was studied in rats usi ng Fe-59-labelled compounds. 2. The intestinal absorption of carbonyl- iron but not from the TMH-ferrocene-iron was dependent upon the dosage and downregulated in iron-loaded rats. 3. In both models, and similar to hereditary haemochromatosis in humans, the storage of excess iron in the liver started in hepatocytes, whereas the range of iron-loading was strikingly different. 4. Because of the fast and progressive iron -loading, the TMH-ferrocene-model is the most encouraging animal model for experimental haemochromatosis.