A protein called DMT1 is the major transporter involved in manganese absorption from the intestine, and may be the major transporter of manganese across the blood brain barrier.
Iron status is one factor that may affect manganese absorption.
For example, there is a well-known inverse association between iron stores and manganese absorption.
Such genetic factors may alter manganese absorption, excretion, or tissue/cellular distribution, thereby altering blood manganese levels.
Moreover, manganese absorption is decreased in the digestive system with concurrent intake of dietary fiber, oxalic acids, tannins, and phytic acids (Gibson 1994).
The higher blood manganese in women might be expected because low iron stores have been associated with enhanced manganese absorption (Finley 1999; Kippler et al. 2009).
Furthermore, increased manganese levels have been observed in pregnant women, especially during late pregnancy, possibly due to pregnancy-induced anemia which could increase manganese absorption (Spencer 1999).
The relationship between ambient air manganese and hair manganese, however, was significant after adjusting for HFE and TF genotypes, suggesting that manganese absorption varies by genotype.
