scholarly journals The Association between Hepcidin and Iron Status in Children and Adolescents with Obesity

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Ekkarit Panichsillaphakit ◽  
Orapa Suteerojntrakool ◽  
Chitsanu Pancharoen ◽  
Issarang Nuchprayoon ◽  
Sirinuch Chomtho

Introduction. Iron deficiency (ID) is the most common nutritional deficiency found in pediatric practice. A higher prevalence of ID may be found in children with obesity. Obesity is a chronic low-grade inflammatory condition. It is postulated that inflammation increases hepcidin, a regulator of iron homeostasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between iron status, hepcidin, and BMI-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS) in children with and without obesity. Methods. A cross-sectional study of Thai children with obesity (5 to 15 years old) versus age- and sex-matched, nonobese controls was conducted. A total of 63 children with obesity and 27 controls were enrolled. Complete blood count, serum iron, ferritin, transferrin saturation, and total iron binding capacity were analyzed. Serum hepcidin-25 was assayed using a hepcidin ELISA Kit (Human Hepc25). Results. There were 63 children with obesity, the median age (IQR) being 10 (9–13) years, and 27 controls. The median (IQR) BMI-SDS of the obese group was 2.3 (2.0–2.6) vs. −0.5 ((−1.3)−0.4) of the control group. ID was diagnosed in 27 children in the obese group (42.9%); 4 of the children with obesity and ID had anemia. Serum hepcidin-25 levels of the children with ID vs. without ID in the obese group were not significantly different (median (IQR) 25 (12.9–49.2) and 26.4 (12.6–43.6), respectively) but both of them were significantly higher than controls (19.7 (8.3–25.5) ng/ml, p  = 0.04). BMI-SDS was positively correlated with hepcidin-25 (r = 0.28, p  = 0.001). Conclusion. Prevalence of iron deficiency in Thai children with obesity and serum hepcidin-25 was higher than controls. Further study in a larger population, preferably with interventions such as weight loss program, is warranted to clarify this association.

QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdy M El Sharkawy ◽  
Haitham E Abdelaziz ◽  
Lina E Khedr ◽  
Mohamed A Sharaf

Abstract Background Hepcidin, an acute phase reactant protein produced in the liver, is a key regulator of iron homeostasis. Because of its renal elimination and regulation by inflammation, it is possible that progressive renal insufficiency leads to altered hepcidin metabolism. Aim of the work to assess effect of HCV treatment on hepcidin levels in regular heamodialysis patients and its relation to iron status. Patients and Methods This cross sectional study was conducted on 45 ESRD patients on regular hemodialysis. All candidates included in this study subjected to careful history taking, full clinical examination and investigations (including complete blood count, HCVAb, HBVsAg and HIVAb). All patients had positive antibodies for hepatitis C; however, all of them had negative PCR and negative HIV, HBV antibodies. Results In our study, dry weight ranged from 46 to 117 kg with mean 77.36. Weight gain ranged from 2 to 5 kg with mean 3.09.About 87% of patients had LTAVF access. About 12 patients (27%) received blood transfusion once. Timing of transfusion ranged from 4 to 60 month with median of 24 months. Regarding frequency of epoetin dose, 11 patients (24.4%) did not receive epoetin, 16 patients (35.6%) received it twice/week. Only 3 patients (6.7%) received iron therapy for time ranging from 3 to 5 months with mean of 4 months. Mean Hb concentration in our study population was 10.11 ±1.64 gm/dl. The mean of iron was 64.22 ±19.52, TIBC was 409.96 ± 67.85, ferritin was 394.56 ± 239.22 and TSAT% was 22.6 ±7.36. The mean serum hepcidin was 218.51 ±127. Our study demonstrated that increase in serum hepcidin is associated with lower serum Hb and iron levels. On the other hand, there is statistically significant positive correlation between serum hepcidin and both serum ferritin and transferrin saturation. Conclusion Median hepcidin value is elevated in dialysis ESRD patients due to increased inflammation and decreased clearance of hepcidin. Also serum hepcidin levels were lowered in HCV patients. Therefore ESRD patients on maintenance HD after treatment of HCV infection showed elevated levels of serum hepcidin.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 5145-5145
Author(s):  
Heinz Ludwig ◽  
Georg Endler ◽  
Brigitte Klement ◽  
Wolfgang Hüubl ◽  
Tim Cushway

Abstract Abstract 5145 Introduction and aims: Iron deficiency as a major component in the pathogenesis of anemia in cancer is not acknowledged by most oncologists, possibly except when arising from GI blood loss. Iron deficiency is associated with clinical symptoms such as cognitive impairment, fatigue, and reduced exercise performance. New iron formulations are available that allow rapid iron supplementation with single infusions. This treatment could ameliorate symptoms of iron deficiency and correct anemia. Here, we studied iron parameters and their correlation with erythropoiesis and inflammatory markers in a large unselected cohort of patients with cancer. In addition, we investigated the suitability of serum ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) as parameter for assessment of the iron status. Patients and methods: Data from 1627 patients (median age: 66.4 years, range: 20–97 years) presenting sequentially at the Center for Oncology and Hematology, Wilhelminenspital, Vienna between October 01, 2009 and January 26, 2010, have retrospectively been analyzed. Patients were at different stages of their disease or may not have had an established diagnosis at the time of testing. In patients with multiple testing during this period only the first sample taken was included. TSAT (n=1516), serum ferritin (n=887), serum iron, CRP, and complete blood count, were determined by using standard techniques. Commonly used definitions for absolute iron deficiency (AID), [TSAT <20% and serum ferritin <30ng/ml, in case serum ferritin was not available TSAT <10%] and for functional iron deficiency (FID), [TSAT <20% and serum ferritin ≥30ng/ml, in case serum ferritin was not available TSAT between 10 and 20%] have been applied. Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of frequencies and Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient for evaluation of correlation. Results: Table 1 shows the distribution of TSAT and serum ferritin categories in 1627 patients with cancer. AID was found in 116 patients (7.7%) of the 1516 patients for whom TSAT was available. Eighty-three (72%) of the AID patients presented with anemia (defined by hemoglobin <12g/dl). AID was most common in patients with colorectal and pancreatic cancer (12% and 11%, respectively), and not present in patients with testicular and prostate cancer (p=0.013). FID was diagnosed in 530 patients (35%) and 222 (42%) of them were found to be also anemic. Multivariate analysis revealed a statistically significant correlation between TSAT and serum ferritin (R=0.286, p<0.001), serum iron (R=0.874, p<0.001), hemoglobin (R=0.201, p<0.001) and CRP (R=-0.205, p<0.001) (figure 1). Serum ferritin, in contrast, did not correlate with serum iron (R=0.051, p=0.132), but correlated with hemoglobin (R=-0.259, p<0.001), TSAT (R=0.286, p<0.001), and CRP (R=0.396, p<0.001). Conclusion: AID (7.7%) and even more so FID (35%) are frequent co-morbidities in patients with various types of cancer. Seventy-two percent of patients with AID and 42% with FID presented with overt anemia. TSAT correlated closely with serum iron and hemoglobin levels and seems to be the preferred parameter for assessment of iron status in patients with chronic diseases often complicated by increased inflammation. Serum ferritin was found to be an inadequate parameter for assessment and monitoring of iron status. As iron deficiency has been linked with various symptoms, the question arises whether iron supplementation would benefit patients with FID without overt anemia. Future studies should evaluate the role of novel intravenous iron preparations in ameliorating the symptoms of iron deficiency with or without anemia. Disclosures: Klement: Vifor Pharma Ltd: Employment. Cushway:Vifor Pharma Ltd.: Employment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phakatip Sinlapamongkolkul ◽  
Pacharapan Surapolchai ◽  
Vip Viprakasit

Abstract Background Many clinicians hesitate adopting a universal infant iron supplementation program due to the risk of increased iron absorption for those with thalassemia. We aimed to determine thalassemia prevalence in 6- to 12-month old infants, along with the iron status of those with and without thalassemia. Procedures: We performed a cross-sectional descriptive study of infants attending the Well Baby Clinic at Thammasat University Hospital for routine checkups. Complete blood count, hemoglobin electrophoresis, iron parameters, and molecular genetics for common α- and β-thalassemia were evaluated. Results Overall, 97 of 206 (47%) participants had thalassemia minor, the majority having Hb E traits. None had thalassemia intermedia or major. Familial history of anemia or thalassemia presented an increased risk of detecting thalassemia minor in offspring (OR 5.18; 95% CI 2.60-10.33, p = 0.001). There were no statistical differences in transferrin saturation, serum ferritin and hepcidin between iron-replete infants with thalassemia minor and those without. However, one-third of infants with thalassemia minor (31/97) also had iron deficiency anemia (IDA), with a similar risk of having iron deficiency to infants without thalassemia. There was no hepcidin suppression in our infants with thalassemia minor as compared to controls. Conclusions Both thalassemia and IDA are endemic to Southeast Asia. Infants with thalassemia minor, particularly with Hb E and α-thalassemia traits, are at risk of IDA. Our short-term universal iron supplementation program for 6 to 12-month old infants does not appear to increase the risk of those with thalassemia minor developing iron overload in the future.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 3354-3354
Author(s):  
Nicola J Svenson ◽  
Russell Patmore ◽  
Heidi J Cox ◽  
James R Bailey ◽  
Stephen Holding

Abstract Introduction Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and anaemia of chronic inflammation (AI) are the most prevalent causes of iron related anaemia in subjects with gastrointestinal disorders contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis of IDA and AI is not always straight forward and currently a combination of several serum parameters (ferritin, transferrin, transferrin saturation, iron and C-reactive protein) is required. Subjects with a mixed aetiology can be difficult to interpret using traditional serum parameters, particularly in the presence of an inflammatory process. Hepcidin (a 25 amino-acid peptide hormone) in conjunction with reticulocyte haemoglobin equivalent (RetHe) has the potential to differentiate IDA from AI and in cases of mixed aetiology replacing the traditional laboratory parameters (serum iron, CRP, transferrin saturation and ferritin). Aim The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of a commercially available ELISA assay and investigate whether hepcidin and RetHe can differentiate AI from mixed aetiology. Method The study investigated 77 patients with gastrointestinal disorders associated with anaemia in a secondary care setting using a traditional pathway of 6 tests (figure 1): Complete Blood Count (CBC), Reticulocytes, serum ferritin, CRP, transferrin, serum Iron. Hepcidin concentration was measured using a commercially available ELISA method (DRG Diagnostic GmbH, Marburg, Germany), CBC and RetHe using a Sysmex XE-2100 CBC analyser, iron parameters and CRP using Beckman Coulter platforms. Results Hepcidin correlated well with ferritin R2 = 0.79, p<0.0001. The results were compared to traditional parameters with Receiver Operator Curves (ROC) used to determine diagnostic cut off concentrations (table 1). Table 1. Sensitivity and specificity of serum ferritin and serum hepcidin used to determine diagnostic cut off values. Selected cut off values IDA AI Serum ferritin 30.0µg/L Sensitivity 83% Specificity 64% Sensitivity 55% Specificity 75% Serum hepcidin 8ng/mL Sensitivity 73% Specificity 72% Sensitivity 70% Specificity 67% Serum hepcidin 40ng/mL Sensitivity 98% Specificity 32% Sensitivity 25% Specificity 91% Ferritin was unable to distinguish IDA from AI in mixed aetiology situations. This gives rise to a new proposed 2 step pathway (figure 2) using 3 tests: CBC, RetHe and hepcidin differentiating IDA from AI in mixed aetiology cases indicating the cause of the anaemia. The RetHe value can then be used to predict the response to oral iron. Conclusion Serum hepcidin may not yet replace serum ferritin as the preferred iron status marker, but in conjunction with RetHe it may distinguish mixed aetiology subjects. This offers the potential development of a clearer clinical pathway for investigation of difficult subjects, including reduction in the number of tests required during anaemia investigations and shorter diagnosis times. The advantage of hepcidin together with RetHe over traditional iron parameters is both as a real time marker of iron status and an indication of likelihood of response to iron therapy. The patient would benefit from a shorter recovery time, unnecessary testing, reduction in ineffective treatment and overall reduction in costs. Figure 1. Current diagnostic testing pathway using 6 independent tests with serum ferritin used as the primary indicator of iron stores. Figure 1. Current diagnostic testing pathway using 6 independent tests with serum ferritin used as the primary indicator of iron stores. Figure 2. Suggestion of a new 2 step diagnostic testing pathway with serum hepcidin as the primary indicator and reticulocyte haemoglobin equivalent as the predictor of iron deficiency and response to oral iron. Figure 2. Suggestion of a new 2 step diagnostic testing pathway with serum hepcidin as the primary indicator and reticulocyte haemoglobin equivalent as the predictor of iron deficiency and response to oral iron. Disclosures Patmore: Janssen: Honoraria; Gilead: Honoraria.


Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 4043-4043
Author(s):  
Toshihiko Tanno ◽  
Antoinett Rabel ◽  
Y. Terry Lee ◽  
Susan Leitman ◽  
Jeffery L. Miller

Abstract Abstract 4043 Poster Board III-978 Iron depletion affects billions worldwide, and anemia develops when iron stores become insufficient to maintain normal erythropoiesis. Hepcidin is a negative regulator of iron absorption in the body. Low serum hepcidin levels provide a physiological response to iron demand in patients with iron deficiency. Based on a recent discovery of elevated growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) as a pathological suppressor of hepcidin in cases of thalassemia (Tanno et al. 2007), it was hypothesized that GDF15 may be elevated under physiological circumstances such as iron deficiency, but this area of research remains controversial. Here GDF15 and hepcidin levels were measured in the peripheral blood of subjects with iron-depleted erythropoiesis, and monitored in patients receiving iron replacement therapy. Initially, clinical studies were performed to measure GDF15 in the serum of iron-depleted blood donors (n = 10) and healthy volunteers (n = 10). Iron depletion was defined for this study as serum ferritin level (<10 ng/ml) and transferrin saturation (<15%). When compared to the control group, hemoglobin and RBC counts were also significantly reduced (p< 0.01) among the iron-depleted group. Serum hepcidin levels were also significantly reduced in the iron-depleted group (<5 ng/ml) compared to healthy volunteers (46 ± 41 ng/ml, p < 0.01). However, the GDF15 levels were not elevated in the iron-depleted group. Instead, iron-depletion was associated with a slight decrease in serum GDF15 (304 ± 90 pg/ml) compared to that in the control group (386 ± 104 pg/ml, p = 0.084). In three additional patients with iron depletion due to menstrual blood loss, serum GDF15 and hepcidin levels were monitored during oral iron replacement. In association with normalization of the ferritin and transferrin saturation, hepcidin levels increased in each patient, but GDF15 levels remained stable (202 ± 15 pg/ml versus 215 ± 23 pg/ml). In summary, iron depletion due to blood loss was not associated with increased GDF15, and there was no obvious correlation between GDF15 and hepcidin expression at the time of depletion or during iron replacement therapy. The data support the hypothesis that GDF15 elevation contributes to the pathological suppression of hepcidin and iron overload in cases of ineffective erythropoiesis rather than the physiological suppression of hepcidin in cases of iron depletion. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 456-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena Ćulafić ◽  
Jovanka Kolarović ◽  
Lato Pezo ◽  
Velibor Čabarkapa ◽  
Stanislava Nikolić ◽  
...  

SummaryBackground:Anemia represents a significant cause of maternal and perinatal mortality, as well as child mortality. The aim of the research was to determine the serum concentration of hepcidin in children aged 6 months to 2 years and adolescents aged 11 to 19 years which suffer from iron deficiency anemia and compare it with the serum concentration of hepcidin in the control groups, as well as to determine its connection with the parameters of the iron metabolism.Methods:The research included 173 examinees, 89 of them suffered from iron deficiency anemia and 84 did not suffer from iron deficiency anemia (the latter represented the control group). Blood samples were collected from all study participants. The samples were analyzed for complete blood count and parameters of iron metabolism. ELISA method was used for establishing serum hepcidin levels.Results:The research showed that the concentration of hepcidin is statistically lower in children (4.4 ng/mL) and adolescents (4.1 ng/mL) who suffer from iron deficiency anemia in comparison with the control group (14 ng/mL, 10 ng/mL, respectively). The positive correlation between serum hepcidin level and iron in the serum, ferritin, the mean corpuscular volume and transferrin saturation was confirmed, but the negative one occurred in serum hepcidin level, transferrin and reticulocytes.Conclusions:The age of the examinees does not influence the level of serum hepcidin which makes it a more sensitive indicator of the level of iron in the body. Besides this, serum hepcidin is a reliable biological marker for the assessment of iron deficiency anemia.


Author(s):  
Febrina Rovani ◽  
Asvin Nurulita ◽  
Mansyur Arif

Anemia, the common feature of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), is a multifactorial process due to disordered erythropoiesis and iron homeostasis. Determining the cause of anemia is important for adequate management. A bone marrow biopsy using Prussian Blue as the gold standard for diagnosis is invasive and more complicated to perform. Reticulocytes-Hemoglobin (Ret-He) a new parameter that indicates the hemoglobin content in reticulocytes is faster, easier, and less expensive. This study aimed to analyze the Ret-He in determining the iron status in patients with CKD. A cross-sectional study was held in the Clinical Pathology Laboratory of Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital Makassar during April-August 2016. Forty-five (45) samples were tested for iron serum (Fe), Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), and Complete Blood Count (CBC) ordered by the physician. Reticulocytes-Hemoglobin was tested using the whole blood. Subjects were around the age of 19-71 years, no significant difference was found between numbers of males and females (46.6% and 53.3%). Hemoglobin median was 8 (5.0-15) g/dL, Fe 50 (6-177) U/mL, TIBC 183 (73-379), Transferrin Saturation (Tsat) 25 (5-95)%. Spearman correlation test method showed significant correlations between Ret-He and iron serum r=0.533, p <0.001, Ret-He and TIBC r=0.321 p=0.031 Ret-He and transferrin saturation r=0.416 p=0.019. The Mann-Whitney method showed no significant difference of Ret-He in both groups (Tsat <20% and >20%). There were significant correlations between Ret-He and iron, Ret-He and TIBC, Ret-He and transferrin saturation. A further study using larger samples is suggested to consider factors affecting the result of Ret-He.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e16-e16
Author(s):  
Maha A. Behairy ◽  
Ahmed Gharib ◽  
Mahmoud Zaki ◽  
Reem El Sharabasy

Introduction: Hepcidin is a key regulatory peptide in iron homeostasis, the pathogenesis of functional iron deficiency (FID) anemia and erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) resistance is contributed to the inflammatory mediated increase in the serum hepcidin levels among prevalent hemodialysis (HD) patients. Objectives: To test the reducing therapeutic effect of oral vitamin C supplements on hepcidin levels and iron status among HD patients with FID anemia. Patients and Methods: This study is an interventional prospective cohort study; 48 prevalent HD patients were enrolled. Group one: 31 patients who received the conventional treatment of erythropoietin stimulating agents together with oral supplementation of vitamin C 500 mg every other day dose for 3 months. Group two: 17 patients who received only the conventional therapy of erythropoietin stimulating agents. Patients with hemoglobin level <11 g/dL, ferritin level >200 ng/mL and transferrin saturation (TSAT) >20 % were included. Laboratory parameters: serum hepcidin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) titre, CBC, and iron indices were measured at baseline and after 3 months. Results: On comparing the two groups, oral vitamin C in group 1 resulted in a statistically significant reduction in hepcidin levels [mean 2506.456 ± 1320.53 pg/mL to 1748.396 ± 1432.28 pg/mL (P = 0.03)], and a significant reduction in hs-CRP level [mean 8603.236 ± 2547.77 ng/mL to 5611.296 ± 2829.27 ng/mL] (P = 0.001) after three months of treatment in comparison to control group. A decrease of EPO requirement and elevation of hemoglobin level were observed in a study group with oral vitamin C. Conclusion: Oral vitamin C may be a promising therapy in decreasing serum hepcidin and inflammatory markers among prevalent HD patients with FID anemia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Orapa Suteerojntrakool ◽  
Tharida Khongcharoensombat ◽  
Sirinuch Chomtho ◽  
Chansuda Bongsebandhu-phubhakdi ◽  
Therdpong Tempark ◽  
...  

Introduction. Obesity may be associated with poor iron status. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between different indices of iron status and anthropometric measurements in Thai children. Materials and Methods. Anthropometry (weight, height, waist circumference (WC), and body composition assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis) and iron indices were measured in 336 Thai children aged 6–12 years. Iron deficiency (ID) was defined using two or more of the following: (1) %transferrin saturation (%Tsat) < 16%; (2) serum ferritin (SF) < 15 μg/mL; and (3) soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) > 5 mg/L. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) was defined as haemoglobin < WHO age cutoff combined with ID. Overweight and obesity were defined as body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS) ≥ +1 SDS or +2 SDS, respectively (WHO growth reference). Results. BMI SDS was significantly positively correlated with sTfR and SF (sTfR, r: 0.209, p  < 0.001; SF, r: 0.214, p  < 0.001) and negatively correlated with %Tsat (r: −0.132, p  = 0.013). Correlations between WC SDS and %fat mass and each iron marker were similar. The percentage with low SF was significantly lower than that using other individual markers. ID prevalence was not significantly different between normal-weight and overweight/obesity groups although a significantly higher proportion of overweight/obese children had sTfR >5 mg/L. Puberty and menarche were significant predictors of ID (puberty adjusted OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 0.43, 11.25; menarche adjusted OR: 6.11, 95% CI: 1.21, 30.94). Conclusion. Greater adiposity was associated with poorer iron status. However, SF may not be a good indicator of iron status in Thai children, particularly in those who are overweight/obese, whereas sTfR merits further investigation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Osama M. El-Asheer ◽  
Mary S. Naeem ◽  
Fardos A. Abdel-Hafez ◽  
Madleen A. A. Abdou ◽  
Khalil A. Mohamed

Abstract Background Iron deficiency anemia remains a common cause of anemia in young children. The term iron deficiency without anemia, or the so-called latent iron deficiency, has become increasingly significant as it is not only difficult to identify this condition in non-anemic children, but it also adversely affects neurocognitive development, and unfortunately, some of these effects may be irreversible and not respond to treatment. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate iron status in 68 apparently healthy, non-anemic Egyptian children aged 1–6 years. They were subjected to detailed history-taking, physical examination, complete blood count, and tests for serum iron, total iron binding capacity, serum ferritin, and transferrin saturation. Results Low serum ferritin level and low transferrin saturation were detected in 41.2% and 47% of the children, respectively. Iron deficiency parameters were significantly affected among toddlers aged “1” to “3” years compared with preschool children, and boys were found to be more affected than girls of the same age group. Conclusions A normal hemoglobin level does not exclude iron deficiency, which should be screened in healthy children to prevent the possible long-term effects of iron deficiency on their cognition and mental development.


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