Serum pro-hepcidin levels in infants with iron deficiency anaemia

Roles of ghrelin, hepcidin and HIF-2α in iron metabolism in iron deficiency anemia

OBJECTIVES

This study investigates the roles of HIF-2α, hepcidin, and ghrelin in iron deficiency anemia (IDA), the most widespread nutritional disorder globally.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty IDA patients (18-50 years, BMI 19-25) and 40 healthy volunteers were studied. Hemoglobin, ferritin, hepcidin, HIF-2α, and ghrelin levels were analyzed.

RESULTS

IDA patients showed lower hemoglobin, ferritin, hepcidin, and ghrelin levels than the control group, but HIF-2α levels were similar. Positive correlations were observed in both groups between hepcidin and HIF-2α (p < 0.001), hepcidin and ghrelin (p < 0.001), and HIF-2α and ghrelin (p < 0.001). Hemoglobin was correlated positively with HIF-2α, and ferritin was correlated positively with HIF-2α in the patient group.

CONCLUSION

The study suggests that the low hepcidin levels in IDA patients enhance iron absorption. The lack of significant HIF-2α level differences may be due to the absence of chronic hypoxia in current hemoglobin levels of IDA patients. Moreover, the low ghrelin levels in patients and the correlations between ghrelin, hepcidin, and HIF-2α in both groups indicate their involvement in iron metabolism.

Increased serum hepcidin and ghrelin levels in children treated for iron deficiency anemia

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the relation between iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and serum leptin, hepcidin, and ghrelin levels.

METHODS

Thirty children with IDA and 28 healthy children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years admitted to our hospital were evaluated prospectively. IDA was diagnosed based on clinical and laboratory findings. All children with IDA were treated with iron II-glycine-sulphate complex for 3 months. Complete blood count; iron metabolism parameters; and serum leptin, hepcidin, and ghrelin levels were studied in all healthy children and in children with IDA before and after treatment.

RESULTS

In children with IDA, the decrease seen in serum leptin levels after the iron treatment was not statistically significant. However, the increase seen in serum hepcidin levels after the iron treatment was statistically significant (P = 0.038). Hepcidin levels were significantly higher in children with IDA who received iron treatment compared to healthy children (P = 0.008). After the iron treatment, serum ghrelin levels in children with IDA were also significantly higher compared to the levels before treatment and healthy children (P = 0.019 and 0.000, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Serum ghrelin and hepcidin levels increase with iron treatment in children with IDA. In view of the higher serum ghrelin and hepcidin levels after iron treatment when compared to pretreatment levels and the healthy children, we suggest that the iron treatment has an important role in serum hepcidin and ghrelin synthesis.