Inhibition of protein synthesis: a mechanism for the production of impaired iron absorption.

Treatment of rats with cycloheximide results in a defect in intestinal iron transport. A similar defect occurs after the parenteral administration of iron. Under both conditions there is impaired uptake of iron into the mucosal cells as well as defective transfer from the intestinal mucosa. It is suggested that the interference in iron transport may be due to a deficiency of an unidenti-fild carrier Substance.