Alterations of selected iron management parameters and activity in food-restricted female Wistar rats (animal anorexia models)

Aims The aim of this study was to assess the influence of food-restricted diets (anorexia models) on iron management and activity of rats. Materials and methods 48 rats were divided into 6 groups: 1 control (K) and 5 testing groups (K/2, GI, GII, GIII, GIV). K was fed ad libitum. K/2 received half the portion of the diet of K. The other groups received 100 % of the diet eaten by K, but with different models of food restriction: GI—1 day on, 1 day starvation; GII—2 days on, 2 days starvation; GIII—3 days on, 3 days starvation; and GIV—4 days on, 4 days starvation. As a result, all testing groups ate half of the diet consumed by the control group. The concentrations of iron in selected tissues, ferritin, and selected iron management parameters in blood were examined, as well as the animals’ activities associated with food craving. Results The animal anorexia models used in this study had a significant influence on the blood concentrations of hemoglobin ( p