Are beta-adrenoreceptors involved in the intestinal absorption and tissue distribution of iron in the rat?

⁵⁹Fe was incorporated in vivo into intestinal sacs prepared in iron deficient rats and ⁵⁹Fe counts were detected in blood, spleen, liver, femur and intestine. The i.v. injection of isoproterenol (i.v. 2 μg/rat) or N′,O′-dibutyryladenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (10 μM/100 g b.w.) enhanced significantly the iron counts in blood, spleen, liver and femur but not in intestine. (?)-Propranolol (2 mg · kg^?1 b.w.i.v.) antagonized the stimulatory effect of isoproterenol. It is suggested that isoproterenol increases iron absorption via the stimulation of β-adrenoreceptors of the intestinal mucosa.