Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
106580 | Pathology | 2009 | 5 Pages |
SummaryAimHepcidin, a recently identified peptide, acts as a central regulator of iron metabolism. It is regarded as a factor regulating the uptake of dietary iron and its mobilisation from macrophages and hepatic stores. It is considered as a mediator of anaemia of inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess whether serum prohepcidin concentration is able to distinguish iron deficiency from anaemia of inflammation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodBlood samples were obtained from 20 healthy blood donors, 30 RA patients who presented with anaemia and 30 patients who had pure iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). The samples were analysed for full blood count, iron, ferritin, transferrin, soluble transferrin receptor and prohepcidin.ResultsThe mean prohepcidin level in the control subjects was 256 mg/L. The prohepcidin level was significantly lower in IDA patients (100 mg/L; p