The Hepcidin-25/Ferritin Ratio Is Increased in University Rugby Players with Lower Fat Mass.

Shinsuke Nirengi,Yasuharu Kawase,Shin Sukino,Naoki Sakane,Sachiko Furuno,Akiko Suganuma,Yaeko Kawaguchi,Mami Fujibayashi,Kazuhiko Kotani

doi:10.3390/nu13092993

Shinsuke Nirengi, Yasuharu Kawase + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13092993

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Journal: Nutrients	Publication Date: Aug 27, 2021
Citations: 2	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Kyoto Medical Center, Setsunan University

Abstract

Hepcidin-25 is suggested as a surrogate iron status marker in athletes who show exercise-induced anemia; however, the implications of hepcidin concentration in this population remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between hepcidin and body fat levels in rugby football players. We included 40 male university rugby football players (RUG) and 40 non-athlete controls. All participants underwent an anthropometric analysis and blood testing that included both hepcidin-25 and ferritin levels. The hepcidin-25 level was slightly (11.6%, p = 0.50) higher, and the ferritin level was significantly (35.9%, p < 0.05) lower, in the RUG group than in controls. The hepcidin-25 to-ferritin ratio was significantly higher (62.5%, p < 0.05) in the RUG group. While significant U-shaped correlations were observed between the body fat and ferritin levels in both groups, the correlations between the hepcidin levels and fat mass index were significantly higher in the RUG group (RUG: r = 0.79, controls: r = 0.45). Notably, the RUG with the lower fat mass index group had a higher hepcidin-25 level, lower ferritin level, and then significantly higher hepcidin-25/ferritin ratio. The hepcidin-25/ferritin ratio may serve as a biomarker for iron status in RUG, especially RUG with lower fat mass.

Highlights

Iron deficiency can have severe effects on athletes’ performance and health [1,2].Special attention to this condition is paid in lean athletes, who are at potential risk of exercise-induced anemia [3,4]
The ferritin levels differed between the groups, there was no difference in the level of hepcidin-25
As numerous previous studies have suggested that ferritin may be the most important factor of hepcidin expression [13,14,15], we decided to investigate the relationship between ferritin and hepcidin-25 levels in male university rugby football players compared to controls

Summary

Introduction

Iron deficiency can have severe effects on athletes’ performance and health [1,2] Special attention to this condition is paid in lean athletes, who are at potential risk of exercise-induced anemia [3,4]. Normal hepcidin levels among athletes remain a topic of debate [11,12]; while one study shows that the levels are higher in athletes [11], another reports that the levels are not elevated [12] This discrepancy is partly ascribed to the fact that lean athletes have low ferritin levels, and resting hepcidin levels are generally regulated by the ferritin level [13,14,15,16]; 4.0/)

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