Evaluation of the Relationship of Hepcidin Levels with Anemia and Inflammatory Markers in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis: A Controlled Study

OBJECTIVE: Hepcidin, a small peptide hormone synthesized in the liver, plays a central role in the regulation of iron metabolism. In addition, it acts as an intermediary in body defense and inflammation. Our aim in this study was to investigate the relationship of hepsidin levels with inflammation and iron indices in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD).

MATERIAL and METHODS: Nondiabetic PD patients were involved. Primary kidney disease, biochemical parameters, complete blood count, iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), fibrinogen, parathormone, interleukin (IL)-6 and hepcidin levels were recorded as well as demographic parameters.

RESULTS: Twenty-one PD patients (mean age 47.7±12.1 years) and 17 healthy volunteers (mean age 54.0±7.2 years) were involved. HepCidin levels were higher in the PD group (148.2±35.0 vs. 93.8±21.9; p<0.001). There was a positive correlation of hepcidin with urea, creatinine, phosphorus, ferritin, fibrinogen, IL-6 and parathormone; and a negative correlation with albumin, transaminases, calcium, TIBC, GFR, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.

CONCLUSION: Hepcidin levels increase with deepening anemia and show a positive correlation with inflammatory markers. Theurapeutic interventions regarding the effects of hepcidin on inflammatory status may play a role in the treatment of anemia due to inflammation. It may be beneficial to measure hepcidin levels together with ferritin, especially in patients with functional iron defficiency.