Impaired regulation of serum hepcidin during phlebotomy in patients with chronic hepatitis C

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Ryosuke Sugimoto1, Naoki Fujita, Naohisa Tomosugi

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Division of Clinical Medicine and Biomedical Science, Institute of Medical Sciences, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Mie.

Hepatology Research : the Official Journal of the Japan Society of Hepatology
|March 6, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Hepcidin, an iron hormone, is elevated but inappropriately regulated in chronic hepatitis C virus (C-HCV) patients. This impaired hepcidin expression may worsen disease, suggesting therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Endocrinology
  • Iron Metabolism

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C virus (C-HCV) infection is associated with altered iron metabolism.
  • Hepcidin is a key hormone regulating systemic iron homeostasis.
  • The role of hepcidin in C-HCV pathogenesis remains to be fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the clinical relevance of hepcidin in patients with C-HCV.
  • To investigate hepcidin levels and regulation in C-HCV patients compared to healthy controls.
  • To assess the impact of phlebotomy on hepcidin levels in C-HCV.

Main Methods:

  • Serum hepcidin and ferritin levels were measured using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS).
  • Comparison of hepcidin levels between 9 C-HCV patients and healthy controls.
  • Sequential monitoring of hepcidin during phlebotomy in C-HCV patients.

Main Results:

  • Serum hepcidin and ferritin were significantly elevated in C-HCV patients compared to controls (P = 0.0002).
  • Hepcidin levels correlated strongly with ferritin (r = 0.658; P < 0.01).
  • Phlebotomy reduced serum hepcidin in C-HCV patients (P = 0.0007), but the hepcidin/ferritin ratio remained significantly lower, indicating impaired regulation.
  • This impaired hepcidin expression was not reversible by phlebotomy.

Conclusions:

  • Hepcidin expression in C-HCV patients responds to iron conditions but is relatively limited.
  • The impaired hepcidin regulation may contribute to disease progression in iron-overloaded C-HCV patients.
  • Correction of hepcidin dysregulation may offer therapeutic benefits for C-HCV patients with iron overload.
Abstract

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