Functional heterogeneity of the transport iron compartment I. In vivo radioiron clearance from high and low saturated transferrin.

Two transferrin solutions of 4 and 80% 59Fe saturation respectively were administered to humans 30 min apart. The radioiron clearnce from the high saturated preparation was significantly accelerated. Comparable results were obtained in rats when normal rat serum was used instead of purified transferrin.