Reabsorption of iron into acutely damaged rat liver: A role for ferritins

Figure 3 Measurement of serum, hepatic and splenic iron levels. A: Serum, liver and spleen iron levels at various time points after TAA injection in rats, as compared to controls (Co.). A mild decrease in serum iron levels was followed by a significant (^cP ≤ 0.001) increase at 24 h and 48 h after TAA injection. Liver iron levels showed a significant (^bP ≤ 0.01; ^cP ≤ 0.001) increase almost throughout the whole course of the study (a clear tendency is seen already after 1 h and 3 h). However, splenic iron content increased significantly (^bP ≤ 0.01) only after 96 h. Results show mean ± SEM of each four animals; B: Prussian blue iron staining in liver of control and TAA-injected rats. Inset shows a higher magnification of the boxed area. A few positive cells are visible in rats after 72 h. Original magnification × 200.