Iron plays a crucial role in various essential functions within the human body, participating in processes vital for overall health and well-being. To address iron deficiency, a wide array of iron supplements are commonly employed. However, it is important to recognize that certain types of iron supplements can have adverse effects on the body, including the induction of oxidative stress and inflammation. Therefore, extensive research is imperative to investigate the inflammatory potential of different sources of iron supplements in order to ensure their safety and effectiveness. In the pursuit of evaluating the inflammatory effects of various iron supplements, researchers frequently employ the Caco2 cell model. In this study, the focus was placed on examining the pro-inflammatory potential of different iron supplements by measuring the levels of a specific inflammatory biomarker, the cytokine IL-6, in the Caco2 cells. To mimic the physiological conditions, the supplements were subjected to a simulated gastrointestinal digestion protocol, ensuring that the Caco2 cells were exposed to digested forms of the supplement after which the levels of IL-6 were determined using ELISA. Surprisingly, the results of the study unveiled intriguing findings. Specifically, the two iron supplements derived from bovine sources exhibited no significant effect on IL-6 levels, indicating a lack of pro-inflammatory activity. However, it was the iron supplement derived from Spirulina, a marine-originated source that captured attention. This particular supplement showcased the ability to decrease the levels of IL-6, suggesting a potentially anti-inflammatory effect on intestinal cells.
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