Decreased monoamine oxidase activity in liver of iron-deficient rats

Abstract

Chronic nutritional deficiency of iron in the rat results in a decrease of 18–31% in the monoamine oxidase activity of the liver. Prolonged feeding of a diet low in copper was without effect on the enzyme, although the concentration of ceruloplasmin in the plasma and of copper in the liver declined.Possible roles of iron in the action of monoamine oxidase are discussed. The inhibitory actions of three iron-chelating agents on monoamine oxidase preparations are consistent with a function of iron in the oxidation of monoamines.