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Authors: Seyed Fazlollah Mousavi, Seyed Davar Siadat, Tahereh Setayesh
Background
Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense (MSR-1), a type of magnetotactic bacteria are capable of forming magnetosomes, which are nanometer-sized particles and membrane-enclosed organelles containing crystals of magnetite (Fe3O4). For the synthesis of magnetosomes, bacteria require a significant amount of iron. Iron is an essential element for most life on earth; however, the elevation of iron level leads to hemochromatosis.This research aimed to investigate whether MSR-1 has an impact on the alteration of iron levels in mammalian cells in vivo.Female BALB/c were received intraperitonealinjections of iron-dextran (100mg/kg b.w.) 2 times per week for four consecutive weeks, and the iron was allowed to equilibrate for 15 days. The MSR-1 (109 in 200 µl PBS)were injected into healthy (C+MSR-1) and iron overloaded (IO+MSR-1) mice. The control healthy (C+ no MSR-1) and control iron overloaded (IO+ no MSR-1) mice received PBS. After the administration of bacteria, the viable bacterial numbers were evaluated in mice. Iron levels in serum and liver, as well as urinary iron exertion, were detected.
Results
Bacteria were not detected in the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes of mice after 72 hours of post-injection. Serum iron and total liver iron levels in C+MSR-1 were reduced compare to C-MSR-1 (by 42.1% and 34.1%), respectively. Moreover, similar patterns were observed in IO+MSR-1 compare to IO+ no MSR-1, 42.1% iron reduction in serum, and 32.1% in the liver after 24h of post-injection. The urinary iron exertion was dramatically increased (by 3-fold) compared to groups with no MSR-1.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that MSR-1 can reduce the iron in iron-overloaded mice and, therefore, may inhibit the organ damage caused by excess iron. Our research on optimizing the biological magnetic system is continuing.