Interactions between ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and iron absorption pathways, in the Caco-2 model

EDTA is a well known enhancer of iron absorption; however, the precise way of absorption of iron ingested in presence of EDTA is not known; some data suggest it could use a passive, non regulated paracellular way. sulphate or gluconate) absorption by Caco-2 cells was assessed in presence of EDTA. EDTA did not change the apical uptake of iron; transport in the basal chamber increased by 98% for FeSO4 and 95% for Fe gluconate. By contrast, intracellular storage decreased by 31% for FeSO4 and 64% for Fe gluconate. ition EDTA induced a significant increase of permeability of the cell monolayer assessed by a decrease of transepithelial electrical resistance: 314 ± 34 Ω cm−2 to 235 ± 57 Ω cm−2 for sulphate, 414 ± 33 Ω cm−2 to 223 ± 36 Ω cm−2 for gluconate; iron free control: 410 ± 10 Ω cm−2. sions: these results suggest that in presence of EDTA iron absorption occurs mainly by the paracellular instead of the regulated cellular way, that could potentially enhance its toxicity.