The anemia of chronic disorders: Experimental abscess, spleen transplantation, and red cell iron reutilization

Studies of Fe59 incorporation into blood, liver, and spleens utilizing ‘cooked’ red blood cells labeled with 59-ferrous citrate were undertaken to evaluate iron reutilization. Intraperitoneal transplantation of intact spleens was performed from mice both with and without turpentine abscess to similarly prepared mice. Presence or absence of abscess in the recipient mouse determined ‘compartmentalization’ of reutilizable iron between the recipient reticuloendothelial system (spleen and liver) and blood. Reduced iron reutilization induced by chronic inflammation seems to be predominantly due to alteration of reticuloendothelial system function as measured by Fe59 incorporation into blood from labeled ‘cooked’ red blood cells. The model studied shows that chronic inflammation is sufficient systemic cause for reduced iron reutilization and thereby a major contributor to the anemia of chronic diseases.