Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Measurement of Tissue Non-Heme Iron Content using a Bathophenanthroline-Based Colorimetric Assay
Published on: January 31, 2022
The anemia of ageing is not associated with increased plasma hepcidin levels
Pauline Lee1, Terri Gelbart, Jill Waalen
1Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
It has been proposed that the anemia of ageing may be caused, at least in part, by elevated hepcidin levels, representing a response to increased IL-6 levels. Using a recently developed immunoassay, we have measured the plasma hepcidin levels of eight patients with the anemia of ageing and sex- and age-matched controls, and found that the levels of hepcidin were not increased in patients with the anemia of ageing. In contrast, patients with the anemia of inflammation have higher hepcidin levels than sex- and age-matched controls. In the overall group there was a strong correlation between serum ferritin levels and hepcidin levels, as has been found previously.
It has been proposed that the anemia of ageing may be caused, at least in part, by elevated hepcidin levels, representing a response to increased IL-6 levels. Using a recently developed immunoassay, we have measured the plasma hepcidin levels of eight patients with the anemia of ageing and sex- and age-matched controls, and found that the levels of hepcidin were not increased in patients with the anemia of ageing. In contrast, patients with the anemia of inflammation have higher hepcidin levels than sex- and age-matched controls. In the overall group there was a strong correlation between serum ferritin levels and hepcidin levels, as has been found previously.
Related Concept Videos
Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
Factors Affecting Erythropoiesis
Several factors influence the erythrocyte production rate, with tissue oxygen level being among the most critical. Intense exercise or high altitudes can cause tissue hypoxia, which triggers the kidneys to release more erythropoietin (EPO) into the bloodstream.
EPO then...
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Metabolism
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion
Lifecycle of Erythrocytes
The resident phagocytic macrophages deal with these damaged cells by engulfing them and separating their globin and heme groups.

