الفهرس 
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Abstract
Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide. Its prevalence is the highest in population segments at peak rates of growth, such as infants, young children, and pregnant women. The low intake of total dietary iron and poor iron absorption because of iron absorption-inhibiting factors were identified as the common causes of IDA. The oral cavity is one of the first sites where iron deficiency can be clinically noted.
Aim of the work:
The aim of this work is to study the possible histological changes that may occur in the tongue of male albino rats due to intake of iron-deficient diet and to study the role of a balanced diet, either alone or with daily oral therapeutic iron supplementation to ameliorate these changes.
Materials and methods:
Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into two groups. Group I (the control group) which consists of 12 rats and were fed a balanced diet for 8 weeks. Group II was further subdivided into three groups, each consists of 6 rats. Group IIA, which included rats that were fed an iron-deficient diet for 8 weeks. Group IIB, which included rats that were fed an iron-deficient diet for 8 weeks, followed by a balanced diet for 2 weeks. Group IIC included rats that were fed an iron-deficient diet for 8 weeks, followed by a balanced diet and daily oral iron supplementation for 2 weeks Blood samples were collected to measure the levels of hemoglobin and serum iron with considering the weight of rats before and after the experiment.
At the end of the experiment, specimens from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue were taken and prepared for light and scanning electron microscopic study.
Results:
In subgroup IIA, the tongue papillae appeared deformed in shape, irregularly arranged, and widely separated. Vascular congestion and mononuclear cellular infiltration were observed in the connective tissue under the epithelium. A decrease in PAS +ve reaction, increase reticular fibers (as demonstrated by silver stain), +ve PCNA reaction in the basal cell layer and – ve PCNA reaction in the supra basal layer were observed.
The biochemical results showed that a highly significant decrease in both Hb and the serum iron levels. These parameters showed a significant decrease in subgroup IIB & anon-significant changes in subgroup IIC as compared with the control group.
As regard body weight, a highly significant decrease in the mean body weight of rats in subgroup IIA while in subgroup IIB & IIC, the mean body weight still showed a significant decrease & non-significant decrease respectively as compared with the control group.
Scanning electron microscope revealed a noticeable atrophy of most tongue papillae. They were widely separated & irregularly arranged. The upper portions of some filiform papillae appeared bisected& In subgroup IIB, most of the histological and quantitative changes were partially improved. However, a marked improvement was observed in subgroup IIC. Conclusion: It was concluded that an iron-deficient diet induced structural changes in rat tongue. However, with 2 weeks of oral iron supplementation in addition to the use of the balanced diet, there was nearly complete restoration of the tongue structure.