Potential factors contributing to poor iron status with obesity

Obesity rates continue to rise and iron deficiency continues to be the number one nutrient deficiency worldwide, and both can lead to significant adverse health issues. Furthermore, the factors contributing to the iron deficiency observed in obese subjects are not fully understood.Aim of the workIs to study the factors contributing to poor iron status in obese rats.Materials and methodsHemoglobin content, Hematocrite value (%), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation (TS%) were assessed in 20 obese and non obese female rats. Also Leptin, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and systemic Hepcidin levels were measured in both groups. Serum ferritin levels were measured in additional 20 obese and non obese rats. The correlation between Hepcidin and different parameters and between ferritin and TS% was assessed.ResultsSerum Hepcidin levels, IL-6, serum ferritin and plasma Leptin were significantly high in obese group; also there was significant decrease in serum iron, TIBC and TS% (P < 0.05) in obese group compared with the non obese group. Difference in hemoglobin levels and Hematocrite values between both groups was not statistically significant. A direct correlation was observed between serum Hepcidin and body weight. Also a direct correlation between Hepcidin, and Leptin and IL-6 was observed.Furthermore, there were significant inverse correlations between serum Hepcidin and serum iron and TS% and between ferritin and TS%.ConclusionIL-6 and Leptin may be part of the axis that links obesity, inflammation, and Hepcidin with poor iron status.