Effect of dietary iron overload in rat brain: Oxidative stress, neurotransmitter level and serum metal ion in relation to neurodegenerative disorders

Abstract

Excess iron causes cell injury by reacting with superoxide anions (O₂) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and producing hydroxyl radical (OH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the present study, albino rats were fed with biscuits enriched with ferrous sulphate (0.3% w/w) for 10 weeks to have overload iron conditions and observed a significant decrease in serum chromium, brain serotonin and dopamine, while iron and zinc increased significantly in serum. Increasing iron level might be responsible for accelerated dopamine oxidation with subsequent quinone formation.