Correlation of Erythroferrone and Hepcidin Hormones with Iron Status Levels in Patients with Iron Deficiency

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) can be grouped under low hepcidin and high erythroferrone (ERFE) anemia. There is a negative correlation between ERFE and hepcidin, irrespective of the type of anemia. ERFE is a mediator of the response to erythropoietic stress, suppressing hepcidin to promote the mobilization of stored iron and the absorption of dietary iron.OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the effect of ERFE hormone on hepcidin level as iron metabolism regulator in patients with iron deficiency (ID).METHODS: The study included 50 female patients with ID who were investigated for complete blood count, serum levels of ferritin, and serum levels of iron using automated hematology, immunology, and chemistry analyzer. ERFE and hepcidin were measured by a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.RESULTS: The serum ERFE levels were higher than normal in all cases and were negatively correlated with serum hepcidin (r = −0.023). In IDA, serum ERFE concentration had a nonsignificant negative correlation with hemoglobin (Hb) concentration. Serum hepcidin concentration had a nonsignificant negative correlation with Hb concentration. Serum ERFE had a nonsignificant negative correlation with Hb% in severe IDA (r = −0.679; P = 0.094) and mild IDA (r = −0.068; P = 0.789). ERFE had a nonsignificant positive correlation with Hb% in moderate IDA (r = 0.069; P = 0.793). Serum hepcidin had a nonsignificant positive correlation with Hb% in severe IDA (r = 0.036; P = 0.939). Serum hepcidin had a nonsignificant negative correlation with Hb% in mild IDA (r = −0.079; P = 0.764) and moderate IDA (r = −0.179; P = 0.491).CONCLUSIONS: The potential of ERFE and hepcidin in diagnosing and categorizing ID disorders is promising. Understanding the mechanism of ERFE/hepcidin interaction will help in developing ERFE-/hepcidin-targeted therapies.