Gastric Iron Binding Protein in Iron Chelation by Gastric Juice

Abstract

DURING an investigation of the possible role of chelation in the gastrointestinal absorption of iron in man, we have considered the endogenous ligands which could be secreted into the gut. Gastric juice seemed likely to be an important source because the rapid formation of iron chelates would require a low pH and because dietary iron is split off from protein during acid–peptic digestion in the stomach.