In vitro binding of iron with the cation-exchange resin sodium polystyrene sulfonate.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of the cation exchange resin sodium polystyrene sulfonate to bind iron from ferrous sulfate solutions, along with the effects of pH on binding. METHODS: We performed a series of in vitro experiments in which various concentrations of iron and sodium polystyrene sulfonate were combined and free ferrous iron was measured with the use of a colorimetric assay. RESULTS: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate bound iron from ferrous sulfate solutions at pH 2 and pH 7. Slightly less binding of free ferrous iron was demonstrated in experiments performed at pH 7 than in those performed at pH 2. At pH 2, 98% of iron was bound, at pH 7, 95% of iron was bound. CONCLUSION: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate may be a useful therapy in acute iron poisoning once safety and efficacy are determined with the use of in vivo models.