Experimental Achylia Gastrica and Iron Absorption

Summary. Achylia gastrica with lowered iron stores was produced in rats by direct X‐irradiation of the exposed stomach. Absorption of ⁵⁹Fe as a ferrous salt was measured in these and in normal and iron‐deficient control rats to study the effect of various components of gastric juice on iron absorption. Hydrochloric acid had no effect in rats with achylia gastrica, but neutralized rat gastric juice, pernicious anaemia gastric juice, and intrinsic factor increased absorption two‐fold. Untreated rat and human gastric juice increased absorption four‐fold while antigastric mucosal serum reduced absorption four‐fold. This reduction was corrected by adding rat gastric juice. Gastric juice appears to play a significant role in iron absorption.