Interleukin-6 contributes to hepcidin mRNA increase in response to exercise

► Iron regulatory peptide hepcidin increases during strenuous exercise and recovery. ► Hepcidin may be involved in training-induced iron deficiency. ► We studied the role of plasma Il-6 in liver hepcidin mRNA control in running rats. ► Pharmacologically blunting plasma Il-6 resulted in smaller increase in hepcidin. ► Il-6 participates in hepcidin gene activation in response to exercise.