Actively Recruiting
Iron Absorption From Plant Heme Iron
Led by ETH Zurich · Updated on 2026-02-12
45
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
31 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Heme, an iron protoporphyin IX complex, consists of a ferrous ion captured in a porphyrin ring acting as a tetradentate ligand. The unique features of heme iron -its unusually high absorption in foods and its resistance to luminal inhibitors of iron absorption- make it a potentially interesting iron fortificant. This study aims to compare fractional iron absorption from two plant-derived heme iron compounds-iron chlorophyllin and soy hemoglobin-with ferrous sulfate (negative control) and porcine hemoglobin (positive control) in iron-deficient women. All four compounds will be intrinsically labeled with stable iron isotopes. Fractional absorption will be assessed 14 days after test meal administration via erythrocyte iron incorporation. Absorption will be tested in two matrices: water and maize porridge (an inhibitory matrix). Each participant will consume all test conditions in a randomized order, allowing for within-subject comparisons.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Iron Absorption From Plant Heme Iron
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Serum ferritin less than 45 g/L indicating iron depletion
- Body weight less than 70 kg
- Body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2 (normal weight)
You will not qualify if you...
- Hemoglobin less than 120 g/L indicating anemia
- C-reactive protein greater than 5 g/L indicating inflammation
- Strict vegan or vegetarian diet
- Any metabolic, gastrointestinal, kidney, or chronic disease
- Use of mineral and vitamin supplements from screening until last blood sample
- Blood transfusion in the last 6 months
- Blood donation in the last 6 months
- Significant blood loss from accident or surgery in the last 6 months
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Smoking more than 1 cigarette per week
- Continuous or long-term medication use except contraceptives
- Therapeutic iron infusion in the last 6 months
- Known allergy to iron supplements
- Planning to become pregnant during the study
- Known or suspected non-compliance, drug or alcohol abuse
- Inability to follow study procedures due to language, psychological, or cognitive issues
- Participation in another investigational drug study within 30 days before or during this study
- Investigator or close family members, employees, or dependents enrolled in the study
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
ETH Zurich, Laboratoy of Clinical Biopharmacy
Zurich, Switzerland, 8092
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Salome Häcki
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
8
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