Co-administration of proline and inorganic iron enhance the improvement of behavioral and hematological function of iron-deficient anemic rats

We investigated the interrelationships between behavior and serum amino acid concentrations in iron-deficient anemic rats. Concentrations of proline, alanine, glycine, and phenylalanine in serum samples were significantly higher than those in rats fed a normal diet, while serum threonine, glutamic acid, and valine levels were significantly lower. Activities of locomotion, rearing, hole-poking, and grooming, determined by using a hole board apparatus, were significantly reduced in anemic rats. The supplementation of inorganic iron and amino acids proline, arginine, or glutamic acid to the normal diet lead to the recovery of normal behavior. Proline enhanced a significant increase in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin by the supplementation of iron alone. We propose that the combination of amino acid (especially proline) and inorganic iron might lead to an improvement in behavioral disorders caused by iron-deficient anemia.