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Xu P, Wong RSM, Yan X. Early erythroferrone levels can predict the long-term haemoglobin responses to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Br J Pharmacol 2024. [PMID: 38653449 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Our previous study reported that erythroferrone (ERFE), a newly identified hormone produced by erythroblasts, responded to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) sensitively but its dynamics was complicated by double peaks and circadian rhythm. This study intends to elucidate the underlying mechanisms for the double peaks of ERFE dynamics and further determine whether early ERFE measurements can predict haemoglobin responses to rHuEPO. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH By using the purified recombinant rat ERFE protein and investigating its deposition in rats, the production of ERFE was deconvoluted. To explore the role of iron in ERFE production, we monitored short-term changes of iron status after injection of rHuEPO or deferiprone. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modelling was used to confirm the mechanisms and examine the predictive ability of ERFE for long-term haemoglobin responses. KEY RESULTS The rRatERFE protein was successfully purified. The production of ERFE was deconvoluted and showed two independent peaks (2 and 8 h). Transient iron decrease was observed at 4 h after rHuEPO injection and deferiprone induced significant increases of ERFE. Based on this mechanism, the PK/PD model could characterize the complex dynamics of ERFE. In addition, the model predictions further revealed a stronger correlation between ERFE and haemoglobin peak values than that for observed values. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The complex dynamics of ERFE should be composited by an immediate release and transient iron deficiency-mediated secondary production of ERFE. The early peak values of ERFE, which occur within a few hours, can predict haemoglobin responses several weeks after ESA treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Xu
- School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
- Phase I Clinical Trial Center, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, China
| | - Raymond S M Wong
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yan
- School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, China
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2
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Loria F, Breenfeldt Andersen A, Bejder J, Bonne T, Grabherr S, Kuuranne T, Leuenberger N, Baastrup Nordsborg N. mRNA biomarkers sensitive and specific to micro-dose erythropoietin treatment at sea level and altitude. Drug Test Anal 2024. [PMID: 38382494 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. rhEPO abuse can be indirectly detected via the athlete biological passport (ABP). However, altitude exposure challenges interpretation of the ABP. This study investigated whether 5'-aminolevulinate synthase 2 (ALAS2) and carbonic anhydrase 1 (CA1) in capillary dried blood spots (DBSs) are sensitive and specific markers of rhEPO treatment at altitude. ALAS2 and CA1 expression was monitored in DBS collected weekly before, during, and after a 3-week period at sea level or altitude. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 20 IU kg bw-1 epoetin alpha (rhEPO) or placebo injections every second day for 3 weeks while staying at sea level (rhEPO, n = 25; placebo, n = 9) or altitude (rhEPO, n = 12; placebo, n = 27). ALAS2 and CA1 expression increased up to 300% and 200%, respectively, upon rhEPO treatment at sea-level and altitude (P-values <0.05). When a blinded investigator interpreted the results, ALAS2 and CA1 expression had a sensitivity of 92%. Altitude did not confound the interpretation. Altitude affected ALAS2 and CA1 expression less than actual ABP markers when compared between sea level and altitude results. An individual athlete passport-like approach simulation confirmed the biomarker potential of ALAS2 and CA1. ALAS2 and CA1 were sensitive and specific biomarkers of micro-dose rhEPO treatment at sea level and altitude. Altitude seemed less a confounding factor for these biomarkers, especially when they are combined. Thus, micro-dose rhEPO injections can be detected in a longitudinal blinded setting using mRNA biomarkers in DBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Loria
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne & Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Breenfeldt Andersen
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Exercise Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jacob Bejder
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Bonne
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports (NEXS), University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Silke Grabherr
- University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne & Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tiia Kuuranne
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne & Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Leuenberger
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Lausanne & Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital & University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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3
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Krumm B, Saugy JJ, Botrè F, Faiss R. Impact of low-volume blood withdrawal on hematological biomarkers for the athlete biological passport. Drug Test Anal 2024; 16:168-173. [PMID: 37303297 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the impact of low-volume blood withdrawal on the hematological biomarkers currently considered for anti-doping purposes. After baseline measurement (D - 7), a 140 mL blood withdrawal was completed (D + 0) on 12 healthy volunteers, followed by weekly monitoring for 21 days (D + 7 - 21). Each visit consisted of a full blood count (Sysmex XN-1000) and duplicate blood volume measurements by CO-rebreathing. A significant decrease in total hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) (-2.3%, p = 0.007) and red blood cell volume (RBCV) (-2.8%, p = 0.028) was reported at D + 7. Despite no atypical passport finding (ATPF) when considering the athlete biological passport adaptive longitudinal model, hemoglobin concentration ([Hb]) increased significantly at D + 21 (+3.8%, p = 0.031). Besides, ferritin (FERR) was significantly downregulated at all points following blood withdrawal, with the largest decrease occurring at D + 7 (-26.6%, p < 0.001). Regardless of the presumable effect of blood reinfusion on ABP biomarkers, these results illustrate the challenge of monitoring hematological variables for the detection of low-volume blood withdrawal. Finally, this study outlines the sensitivity of FERR to altered erythropoiesis to support the implementation of iron markers as complementary variables for the longitudinal monitoring of blood doping, despite the potential influence of confounding factors (e.g., iron supplementations).
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Affiliation(s)
- B Krumm
- REDs, Research & Expertise in anti-Doping sciences, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - J J Saugy
- REDs, Research & Expertise in anti-Doping sciences, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - F Botrè
- REDs, Research & Expertise in anti-Doping sciences, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - R Faiss
- REDs, Research & Expertise in anti-Doping sciences, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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4
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Krumm B, Saugy JJ, Botrè F, Donati F, Faiss R. Indirect biomarkers of blood doping: A systematic review. Drug Test Anal 2024; 16:49-64. [PMID: 37160638 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The detection of blood doping represents a current major issue in sports and an ongoing challenge for antidoping research. Initially focusing on direct detection methods to identify a banned substance or its metabolites, the antidoping effort has been progressively complemented by indirect approaches. The longitudinal and individual monitoring of specific biomarkers aims to identify nonphysiological variations that may be related to doping practices. From this perspective, the identification of markers sensitive to erythropoiesis alteration is key in the screening of blood doping. The current Athlete Biological Passport implemented since 2009 is composed of 14 variables (including two primary markers, i.e., hemoglobin concentration and OFF score) for the hematological module to be used for indirect detection of blood doping. Nevertheless, research has continually proposed and investigated new markers sensitive to an alteration of the erythropoietic cascade and specific to blood doping. If multiple early markers have been identified (at the transcriptomic level) or developed directly in a diagnostics' kit (at a proteomic level), other target variables at the end of the erythropoietic process (linked with the red blood cell functions) may strengthen the hematological module in the future. Therefore, this review aims to provide a global systematic overview of the biomarkers considered to date in the indirect investigation of blood doping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastien Krumm
- REDs, Research & Expertise in AntiDoping Sciences, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jonas J Saugy
- REDs, Research & Expertise in AntiDoping Sciences, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Botrè
- REDs, Research & Expertise in AntiDoping Sciences, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Laboratorio Antidoping, Federazione Medico Sportiva Italiana, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Donati
- Laboratorio Antidoping, Federazione Medico Sportiva Italiana, Rome, Italy
| | - Raphael Faiss
- REDs, Research & Expertise in AntiDoping Sciences, Institute of Sport Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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5
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Breenfeldt Andersen A, Nordsborg NB, Bonne TC, Bejder J. Contemporary blood doping-Performance, mechanism, and detection. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2024; 34:e14243. [PMID: 36229224 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Blood doping is prohibited for athletes but has been a well-described practice within endurance sports throughout the years. With improved direct and indirect detection methods, the practice has allegedly moved towards micro-dosing, that is, reducing the blood doping regime amplitude. This narrative review evaluates whether blood doping, specifically recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) treatment and blood transfusions are performance-enhancing, the responsible mechanism as well as detection possibilities with a special emphasis on micro-dosing. In general, studies evaluating micro-doses of blood doping are limited. However, in randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials, three studies find that infusing as little as 130 ml red blood cells or injecting 9 IU × kg bw-1 rhEpo three times per week for 4 weeks improve endurance performance ~4%-6%. The responsible mechanism for a performance-enhancing effect following rhEpo or blood transfusions appear to be increased O2 -carrying capacity, which is accompanied by an increased muscular O2 extraction and likely increased blood flow to the working muscles, enabling the ability to sustain a higher exercise intensity for a given period. Blood doping in micro-doses challenges indirect detection by the Athlete Biological Passport, albeit it can identify ~20%-60% of the individuals depending on the sample timing. However, novel biomarkers are emerging, and some may provide additive value for detection of micro blood doping such as the immature reticulocytes or the iron regulatory hormones hepcidin and erythroferrone. Future studies should attempt to validate these biomarkers for implementation in real-world anti-doping efforts and continue the biomarker discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Breenfeldt Andersen
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, Section for Sport Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Thomas Christian Bonne
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jacob Bejder
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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6
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García-Arnés JA, García-Casares N. Doping and sports endocrinology: growth hormone, IGF-1, insulin, and erythropoietin. Rev Clin Esp 2023; 223:181-187. [PMID: 36736729 DOI: 10.1016/j.rceng.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Among the substances prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency, "peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances, and mimetics" are classified as prohibited both in- and out-of-competition in section S2. This work reviews growth hormone and its releasing peptides, insulin-like growth factor 1 as the main growth factor, insulin, and erythropoietin and other agents that affect erythropoiesis. This review analyzes the prevalence of use among professional athletes and gym clients, the forms of use, dosing, ergogenic effects and effects on physical performance, as well as side effects and anti-doping detection methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A García-Arnés
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain.
| | - N García-Casares
- Departamento de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain; Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias (CIMES), Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain
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7
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Babker A, Talawy T, Bylappa S, Ismail M, Kandakurti P, Gopakumar A. Correlation of Erythroferrone and Hepcidin Hormones with Iron Status Levels in Patients with Iron Deficiency. JOURNAL OF APPLIED HEMATOLOGY 2023. [DOI: 10.4103/joah.joah_63_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
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8
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García-Arnés J, García-Casares N. Endocrinología del dopaje y los deportes: hormona de crecimiento, IGF-1, insulina y eritropoyetina. Rev Clin Esp 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rce.2022.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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9
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BREENFELDT ANDERSEN ANDREAS, BEJDER JACOB, BONNE THOMASC, SØRENSEN HENRIK, SØRENSEN HELLE, JUNG GRACE, GANZ TOMAS, NEMETH ELIZABETA, SECHER NIELSH, JOHANSSON PÄRI, NORDSBORG NIKOLAIBAASTRUP. Hepcidin and Erythroferrone Complement the Athlete Biological Passport in the Detection of Autologous Blood Transfusion. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2022; 54:1604-1616. [DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000002950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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10
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Tan J, Du S, Zang X, Ding K, Ginzburg Y, Chen H. The addition of oral iron improves chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients receiving erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Int J Cancer 2022; 151:1555-1564. [PMID: 35639027 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Although many studies have shown that supplementation with iron and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) is frequently used for managing chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA), optimal combination therapy using these agents together to ameliorate anemia is not well characterized. To assess the effects of ESA combined with oral or intravenous (IV) iron on relieving CIA, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were searched for articles. Data collected in the articles were meta-analyzed using RevMan 5.3 software with a random-effects model. Our comprehensive search yielded 1666 potentially relevant trials. A total of 41 trials randomizing 4200 patients with CIA fulfilled inclusion criteria, including 34 Chinese articles and 7 English articles. Meta-analysis showed that treatment with both ESA and iron more effectively improved CIA relative to iron supplementation alone, with increased hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cell count and haematopoietic response rate. Subgroup analyses revealed iron administration, both oral and IV iron, improved anemia in ESA-treated cancer patients with CIA. Our analysis demonstrates that iron supplementation combined with ESA more effectively ameliorates CIA relative to iron supplementation alone, without regard to whether IV or oral iron was used. Together, our findings may contribute to the clinical treatment of CIA using iron therapy with or without ESA. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyong Tan
- Molecular Biology Research Center and Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Sitong Du
- Molecular Biology Research Center and Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xueyan Zang
- Molecular Biology Research Center and Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Kaiyue Ding
- Molecular Biology Research Center and Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yelena Ginzburg
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Huiyong Chen
- Molecular Biology Research Center and Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
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11
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Xu P, Wong RSM, Krzyzanski W, Yan X. Dynamics of Erythroferrone Response to Erythropoietin in Rats. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:876573. [PMID: 35517793 PMCID: PMC9065252 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.876573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Erythroferrone (ERFE) is a hormone identified recently as a master regulator connecting iron homeostasis and erythropoiesis. Serum ERFE concentrations significantly increase in animals and humans with normal or impaired kidney function after receiving exogenous erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), which suggests it might be a predictive factor for erythropoiesis. To evaluate whether ERFE is an early, sensitive biomarker for long-term erythropoietic effects of ESAs, we investigated the relationship between ERFE dynamics and time courses of major erythropoietic responses to ESA treatment. Methods: Healthy rats received single dose and multiple doses (thrice a week for 2 weeks) of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) at three dose levels (100, 450, and 1350 IU/kg) intravenously. The rHuEPO and ERFE concentrations in plasma were determined at a series of time points after dosing. Erythropoietic effects including red blood cell count and hemoglobin concentrations were continuously monitored for 24 days (single dose) or 60 days (multiple doses). The expansion of erythroblasts in bone marrow was quantified by flow cytometry analysis. Results: ERFE significantly increased within a few hours and return to baseline at 24 h after rHuEPO treatment. The ERFE response was enhanced after repeated treatment, which was consistent with the observed expansion of erythroblasts in the bone marrow. In addition, the dynamics of ERFE showed double peaks at approximately 2 and 10 h after rHuEPO stimulation, and the ERFE baseline displayed a significant circadian rhythm. There was a strong positive correlation between peak values of short-term ERFE responses and the long-term hemoglobin responses. Conclusion: The stimulated release of ERFE is a rapid process within 24 h. The second peak in the ERFE response to rHuEPO suggests the presence of a feedback mechanism counterregulating the ESA stimulation. The early increase of ERFE at 2 h appears to be a predictor of the hemoglobin response at 14 days after single dose of rHuEPO. Under multiple-dose regimen, the enhanced ERFE responses still correlate with the peak hemoglobin responses. The ERFE baseline also exhibits a circadian rhythm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Xu
- School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Raymond S. M. Wong
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wojciech Krzyzanski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
| | - Xiaoyu Yan
- School of Pharmacy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
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12
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Changes in Hepcidin Levels in an Animal Model of Anemia of Chronic Inflammation: Mechanistic Insights Related to Iron Supplementation and Hepcidin Regulation. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:4357756. [PMID: 34873429 PMCID: PMC8643261 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4357756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We examined changes in hepcidin (closely associated with anemia of chronic inflammation (ACI)) and upstream regulatory pathways after intravenous (IV) iron supplementation in an ACI animal model. ACI was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by intraperitoneally administering complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Two weeks after starting CFA treatment, ACI rats received IV iron (CFA-iron) or vehicle (CFA-saline). Three days after IV iron treatment, iron profiles, hepcidin levels, and expression of proteins involved in the signaling pathways upstream of hepcidin transcription in the liver were measured. In CFA-treated rats, anemia with a concomitant increase in the levels of serum inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species occurred. In CFA-iron rats, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration was still lower than that in control rats. In CFA-saline rats, hepatic hepcidin and ferritin levels increased compared with those in control rats and were further increased in CFA-iron rats. In CFA-saline rats, NADPH oxidase- (NOX-) 2, NOX-4, and superoxide dismutase levels in the liver were upregulated compared with those in control rats and their levels were further increased in CFA-iron rats. In CFA-saline rats, activities of the IL-6/STAT and BMP/SMAD pathways were enhanced in the liver compared with those in control rats and their levels were further increased in CFA-iron rats, whereas IL-6 expression remained unaffected after IV iron administration. In HepG2 cells, iron caused phosphorylation of STAT-3 and SMAD1/5 and knockdown of STAT-3 and SMAD1/5 using siRNAs reduced iron-induced hepcidin upregulation to levels similar to those in corresponding control cells. Renal erythropoietin expression and serum erythroferrone concentration were lower in CFA-iron rats than those in control rats. In ACI rats, IV iron supplementation did not recover Hb within three days despite an increase in hepatic ferritin levels, which might be attributable to an additional increase in hepcidin levels that was already upregulated under ACI conditions. Both STAT-3 phosphorylation and SMAD1/5 phosphorylation were associated with hepcidin upregulation after IV iron treatment, and this seems to be linked to iron-induced oxidative stress.
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13
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Dziembowska I, Wójcik M, Bukowski J, Żekanowska E. Physical Training Increases Erythroferrone Levels in Men. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10111215. [PMID: 34827208 PMCID: PMC8614876 DOI: 10.3390/biology10111215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Intense physical activity contributes to an increased demand for red blood cells, which transport oxygen to working muscles. The purpose of this study was to assess the concentration of erythroferrone (ERFE), the novel marker of erythroid activity in athletes, during the beginning of their training season. The study group consisted of 39 athletes aged 23.24 ± 3.77 years. The study was carried out during the athletes' preparatory period of the training cycle. The control group consisted of 34 healthy men aged 22.33 ± 2.77 years. The erythropoietic activity was evaluated by determining athletes' concentrations of erythropoietin (EPO) and erythroferrone (ERFE). The level of physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). In the athletes' group, we observed higher concentrations of EPO (Me = 12.65 mIU/mL) and ERFE (40.00 pg/mL) compared to the control group (EPO: Me = 5.74 mIU/ml, p = 0.001; ERFE: Me = 25.50 pg/mL, p = 0.0034). The average intensity of physical exercise significantly differentiated the participants as far as EPO and ERFE concentrations. These results suggest that intense physical activity, at least at the beginning of the training season, may stimulate EPO production, which increases ERFE release. This seems to be an adaptative mechanism that provides adequate iron for enhanced erythropoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Dziembowska
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Curie-Skłodowskiej 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (J.B.); (E.Ż.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Małgorzata Wójcik
- Institute of Health Sciences, Hipolit Cegielski State University of Applied Sciences in Gniezno, Ks. Kard. Stefana Wyszyńskiego 38, 62-200 Gniezno, Poland;
| | - Jakub Bukowski
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Curie-Skłodowskiej 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (J.B.); (E.Ż.)
| | - Ewa Żekanowska
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Curie-Skłodowskiej 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (J.B.); (E.Ż.)
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14
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Diepeveen L, Roelofs R, Grebenchtchikov N, van Swelm R, Kautz L, Swinkels D. Differentiating iron-loading anemias using a newly developed and analytically validated ELISA for human serum erythroferrone. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254851. [PMID: 34283879 PMCID: PMC8291690 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Erythroferrone (ERFE), the erythroid regulator of iron metabolism, inhibits hepcidin to increase iron availability for erythropoiesis. ERFE plays a pathological role during ineffective erythropoiesis as occurs in X-linked sideroblastic anemia (XLSA) and β-thalassemia. Its measurement might serve as an indicator of severity for these diseases. However, for reliable quantification of ERFE analytical characterization is indispensable to determine the assay’s limitations and define proper methodology. We developed a sandwich ELISA for human serum ERFE using polyclonal antibodies and report its extensive analytical validation. This new assay showed, for the first time, the differentiation of XLSA and β-thalassemia major patients from healthy controls (p = 0.03) and from each other (p<0.01), showing the assay provides biological plausible results. Despite poor dilution linearity, parallelism and recovery in patient serum matrix, which indicated presence of a matrix effect and/or different immunoreactivity of the antibodies to the recombinant standard and the endogenous analyte, our assay correlated well with two other existing ERFE ELISAs (both R2 = 0.83). Nevertheless, employment of one optimal dilution of all serum samples is warranted to obtain reliable results. When adequately performed, the assay can be used to further unravel the human erythropoiesis-hepcidin-iron axis in various disorders and assess the added diagnostic value of ERFE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Diepeveen
- Translational Metabolic Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Rian Roelofs
- Translational Metabolic Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicolai Grebenchtchikov
- Translational Metabolic Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rachel van Swelm
- Translational Metabolic Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Leon Kautz
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive (IRSD), Université de Toulouse, INSERM U1220, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) U1416, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT), Université Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Dorine Swinkels
- Translational Metabolic Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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15
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Breenfeldt Andersen A, Bonne TC, Bejder J, Jung G, Ganz T, Nemeth E, Olsen NV, Huertas JR, Nordsborg NB. Effects of altitude and recombinant human erythropoietin on iron metabolism: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2021; 321:R152-R161. [PMID: 34160288 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00070.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Current markers of iron deficiency (ID), such as ferritin and hemoglobin, have shortcomings, and hepcidin and erythroferrone (ERFE) could be of clinical relevance in relation to early assessment of ID. Here, we evaluate whether exposure to altitude-induced hypoxia (2,320 m) alone, or in combination with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) treatment, affects hepcidin and ERFE levels before alterations in routine ID biomarkers and stress erythropoiesis manifest. Two interventions were completed, each comprising a 4-wk baseline, a 4-wk intervention at either sea level or altitude, and a 4-wk follow-up. Participants (n = 39) were randomly assigned to 20 IU·kg body wt-1 rHuEPO or placebo injections every second day for 3 wk during the two intervention periods. Venous blood was collected weekly. Altitude increased ERFE (P ≤ 0.001) with no changes in hepcidin or routine iron biomarkers, making ERFE of clinical relevance as an early marker of moderate hypoxia. rHuEPO treatment at sea level induced a similar pattern of changes in ERFE (P < 0.05) and hepcidin levels (P < 0.05), demonstrating the impact of accelerated erythropoiesis and not of other hypoxia-induced mechanisms. Compared with altitude alone, concurrent rHuEPO treatment and altitude exposure induced additive changes in hepcidin (P < 0.05) and ERFE (P ≤ 0.001) parallel with increases in hematocrit (P < 0.001), demonstrating a relevant range of both hepcidin and ERFE. A poor but significant correlation between hepcidin and ERFE was found (R2 = 0.13, P < 0.001). The findings demonstrate that hepcidin and ERFE are more rapid biomarkers of changes in iron demands than routine iron markers. Finally, ERFE and hepcidin may be sensitive markers in an antidoping context.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas C Bonne
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jacob Bejder
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Grace Jung
- Department of Medicine and Pathology, Center for Iron Disorders, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Tomas Ganz
- Department of Medicine and Pathology, Center for Iron Disorders, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Elizabeta Nemeth
- Department of Medicine and Pathology, Center for Iron Disorders, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Niels Vidiendal Olsen
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesús Rodríguez Huertas
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Biomedical Research Centre, University of Granada, Armilla, Spain
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16
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Robach P, Gammella E, Recalcati S, Girelli D, Castagna A, Roustit M, Lundby C, Lundby AK, Bouzat P, Vergès S, Séchaud G, Banco P, Uhr M, Cornu C, Sallet P, Cairo G. Induction of erythroferrone in healthy humans by micro-dose recombinant erythropoietin or high-altitude exposure. Haematologica 2021; 106:384-390. [PMID: 31919080 PMCID: PMC7849588 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.233874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The erythropoietin (Epo)-erythroferrone (ERFE)-hepcidin axis coordinates erythropoiesis and iron homeostasis. While mouse studies have established that Epo-induced ERFE production represses hepcidin synthesis by inhibiting hepatic BMP/SMAD signaling, evidence for the role of ERFE in humans is limited. To investigate the role of ERFE as a physiological erythroid regulator in humans, we conducted two studies. First, 24 males were given six injections of saline (placebo), recombinant Epo (rhEpo) at a dose of 20 IU/kg (micro-dose) or rhEpo at 50 IU/kg (low dose). Second, we quantified ERFE in 22 subjects exposed to high altitude (3800 m) for 15 h. In the first study, total hemoglobin mass (Hbmass) increased after low- but not after micro-dose injections, when compared to the mass after placebo injections. Serum ERFE levels were enhanced by rhEpo, remaining higher than after placebo for 48 h (micro-dose) or 72 h (low-dose) after injections. Conversely, hepcidin levels decreased when Epo and ERFE rose, before any changes in serum iron parameters occurred. In the second study, serum Epo and ERFE increased at high altitude. The present results demonstrate that in healthy humans ERFE responds to slightly increased Epo levels not associated with Hbmass expansion and downregulates hepcidin in an apparently iron-independent way. Notably, ERFE flags micro-dose Epo, thus holding promise as a novel biomarker of doping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Robach
- National School for Mountains Sports, Chamonix, France
| | - Elena Gammella
- Dept Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Carsten Lundby
- Center for Physical Activity Research, University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Pierre Bouzat
- Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, Grenoble, France
| | - Samuel Vergès
- HP2 Laboratory, U1042, Grenoble Alpes University, INSERM, Grenoble, France
| | | | | | - Mario Uhr
- Dept. Hematology Synlab-Suisse, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Catherine Cornu
- Hospices Civils de Lyon INSERM CIC1407/UMR5558, Hôpital Louis Pradel, Bron, France
| | | | - Gaetano Cairo
- Dept Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Italy
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17
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Srole DN, Ganz T. Erythroferrone structure, function, and physiology: Iron homeostasis and beyond. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:4888-4901. [PMID: 33372284 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Erythroferrone (ERFE) is the main erythroid regulator of hepcidin, the homeostatic hormone controlling plasma iron levels and total body iron. When the release of erythropoietin from the kidney stimulates the production of new red blood cells, it also increases the synthesis of ERFE in bone marrow erythroblasts. Increased ERFE then suppresses hepcidin synthesis, thereby mobilizing cellular iron stores for use in heme and hemoglobin synthesis. Recent mechanistic studies have shown that ERFE suppresses hepcidin transcription by inhibiting bone morphogenetic protein signaling in hepatocytes. In ineffective erythropoiesis, pathological overproduction of ERFE by an expanded population of erythroblasts suppresses hepcidin and causes iron overload, even in non-transfused patients. ERFE may be a useful biomarker of ineffective erythropoiesis and an attractive target for treating its systemic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel N Srole
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Tomas Ganz
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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18
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Thevis M, Kuuranne T, Geyer H. Annual banned-substance review: Analytical approaches in human sports drug testing 2019/2020. Drug Test Anal 2020; 13:8-35. [PMID: 33185038 DOI: 10.1002/dta.2969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Analytical chemistry-based research in sports drug testing has been a dynamic endeavor for several decades, with technology-driven innovations continuously contributing to significant improvements in various regards including analytical sensitivity, comprehensiveness of target analytes, differentiation of natural/endogenous substances from structurally identical but synthetically derived compounds, assessment of alternative matrices for doping control purposes, and so forth. The resulting breadth of tools being investigated and developed by anti-doping researchers has allowed to substantially improve anti-doping programs and data interpretation in general. Additionally, these outcomes have been an extremely valuable pledge for routine doping controls during the unprecedented global health crisis that severely affected established sports drug testing strategies. In this edition of the annual banned-substance review, literature on recent developments in anti-doping published between October 2019 and September 2020 is summarized and discussed, particularly focusing on human doping controls and potential applications of new testing strategies to substances and methods of doping specified the World Anti-Doping Agency's 2020 Prohibited List.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Thevis
- Center for Preventive Doping Research - Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tiia Kuuranne
- Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medicine, Genève and Lausanne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Hans Geyer
- Center for Preventive Doping Research - Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,European Monitoring Center for Emerging Doping Agents, Cologne, Germany
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