The structure of spleen in experimentally induced iron deficiency anemia.

Splenic ultrastructure was studied in experimentally induced severe iron deficiency in rabbits. Fragmentation and phagocytosis of blood cells, particularly red cells and platelets, were observed in the red pulp. Mitochondrial changes similar to those previously described in other sideropenic tissues were noted in the lympholytes and reticular cells of both the red and white pulp. The most striking findings were the changes associated with the membranous structures and endoplasmic reticulum. These changes were similar to those characteristically associated with lipid peroxidation. Glutathione peroxidase was shown to be deficient in the red cells of these sideropenic animals. The morphologic changes observed may be explained on the basis of lipid peroxidation of membranes, and it is suggested that iron deficiency results in "deficiency" of enzymes normally responsible for the protection of tissues against peroxidation injury. Increased susceptibility to peroxides may lead to peroxidation injury of membranous structures and morphologic changes described herein.