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Comparison of serum prohepcidin and iron metabolism parameters in obese and non-obese elderly individuals
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Abstract
Introduction: Current knowledge indicates that there is a close connection between being overweight, obesity and iron metabolism disorders,but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Hepcidin could be a major contributor to poor iron status observed in the obese population.
Material and methods: The study was performed in 58 obese elderly individuals (F/M 34/24) aged 65-91 (78.92 ± 8.32) years. The controlgroup consisted of 15 non-obese elderly volunteers, age- and sex-matched. Based on the WHO definition, 36 (62%) obese individualswere diagnosed with normo- or microcytic anaemia. The following parameters were determined: prohepcidin, haemoglobin, serum iron,erythropoietin, ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP).
Results: Prohepcidin concentrations were significantly increased in obese elderly individuals without anaemia compared to obese andanaemic (p < 0.01) as well as non-obese volunteers (p < 0.01). In obese individuals with anaemia there was a decrease in serum iron,concomitant with increased levels of erythropoietin and CRP compared to two other groups. Ferritin concentration was increased inobese people (with and without anaemia) compared to the non-obese group. Serum prohepcidin levels were positively correlated withfat mass percentage in obese individuals without and with anaemia (r = 0.32; p = 0.02).
Conclusion: Results of this preliminary study suggest that body fat content does have an impact on prohepcidin concentration, andthereby on iron homeostasis.
Abstract
Introduction: Current knowledge indicates that there is a close connection between being overweight, obesity and iron metabolism disorders,but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Hepcidin could be a major contributor to poor iron status observed in the obese population.
Material and methods: The study was performed in 58 obese elderly individuals (F/M 34/24) aged 65-91 (78.92 ± 8.32) years. The controlgroup consisted of 15 non-obese elderly volunteers, age- and sex-matched. Based on the WHO definition, 36 (62%) obese individualswere diagnosed with normo- or microcytic anaemia. The following parameters were determined: prohepcidin, haemoglobin, serum iron,erythropoietin, ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP).
Results: Prohepcidin concentrations were significantly increased in obese elderly individuals without anaemia compared to obese andanaemic (p < 0.01) as well as non-obese volunteers (p < 0.01). In obese individuals with anaemia there was a decrease in serum iron,concomitant with increased levels of erythropoietin and CRP compared to two other groups. Ferritin concentration was increased inobese people (with and without anaemia) compared to the non-obese group. Serum prohepcidin levels were positively correlated withfat mass percentage in obese individuals without and with anaemia (r = 0.32; p = 0.02).
Conclusion: Results of this preliminary study suggest that body fat content does have an impact on prohepcidin concentration, andthereby on iron homeostasis.
Keywords
iron metabolism, obesity, prohepcidin
About this articleTitle
Comparison of serum prohepcidin and iron metabolism parameters in obese and non-obese elderly individuals
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original paper
Pages
272-277
Published online
2013-09-03
Page views
1638
Article views/downloads
2164
DOI
10.5603/EP.2013.0005
Bibliographic record
Endokrynol Pol 2013;64(4):272-277.
Keywords
iron metabolism
obesity
prohepcidin
Authors
Justyna Przybyszewska
Ewa Żekanowska
Kornelia Kędziora-Kornatowska
Joanna Boinska
Katarzyna Porzych
Michał Przybyszewski
Roman Cichon
