Inulin-type fructans in RAF were obtained by partial hydrolysis of inulin, which was extracted from chicory roots (Chicorium intybus). Total fructans, glucose, fructose and sucrose in the YF were analysed by spectrophotometry (Steegmans, Iliaens, & Hoebregs, 2004). Insoluble (IDF) and soluble (SDF) dietary fibres were determined by the enzymatic–gravimetric method (Prosky, Asp, Schweizer, Devries, & Furda, 1988). The Fe concentrations in the diets and in the YF were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS; AAnalyst 100, Perkin Elmer, Norwalk, CT, USA) using a hollow cathode lamp at 283.4 nm and a slit of 0.2 nm after wet digestion (HNO3:H2O2,

5:1; v/v). The working standard solution

was prepared with ferric www.selleckchem.com/products/PF-2341066.html chloride (FeCl3) (Tritisol, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany). YF analysis showed 18% total fructans, 28.3% sucrose, 15.7% fructose, 6% IDF, 4% SDF and 4 μg Fe/g. The diet consumption in the repletion period was determined every 2 days, and the Hb concentration in the blood was obtained through tail puncture every 7 days (days 0, 7 and 14) via the Neratinib molecular weight cyanide Hb method (Drabkin & Austin, 1935). The Hb concentrations and Fe consumption results were used to estimate the following parameters (Mahoney, Van Orden, & Hendricks, 1974): (1) Hb Fe pool (mg), assuming the total blood volume was 6.7% body weight and Fe content in Hb was 0.335%: Hb Fe pool=[body wt(g)×Hb(g/l)×6.7×0.335]/10,000Hb Fe pool=[body wt(g)×Hb(g/l)×6.7×0.335]/10,000 At the time of euthanasia, blood was obtained from the abdominal aorta. Blood samples

obtained without anticoagulant were collected, and serum Fe concentrations and the unsaturated Fe-binding capacity (UIBC) were determined (Labtest Diagnóstica S/A, Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais, Brazil). The total Fe-binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin saturation were calculated from the values of serum Fe and UIBC. Blood samples with anticoagulant (EDTA; 1 mg/ml; Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, MO, USA) were obtained for complete and differential cell counts (Dacies & Lewis, 1949). The femoral cavity was flushed with McCoy’s 5A medium (Sigma Chemical learn more Co., St. Louis, MO, USA) to collect bone marrow cells. Spleen cells were obtained after disrupting the splenic capsule and dissociating the tissue in McCoy’s 5A medium. The total number of cells was quantified in a standard haemocytometer (Neubauer chamber; Herka, Berlin, Germany), and reticulocyte counts were carried out according to Brecher‘s method (Brecher, 1949). The liver Fe concentrations were analysed by AAS, as described for dietary Fe analysis. The faecal moisture content was determined through sample weight loss in an oven at 105 °C. The dried faeces were ground and the samples were used for mineral analysis.