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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
Measurement of Tissue Non-Heme Iron Content using a Bathophenanthroline-Based Colorimetric Assay
Published on: January 31, 2022
Hepcidin treatment in Hfe-/- mice diminishes plasma iron without affecting erythropoiesis
María-Josefa Morán-Jiménez1, Manuel Méndez, Begoña Santiago
1Centro de Investigación Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España. moranjimenez@h12o.es
Background:
Iron is essential for mammalian metabolism and its cellular concentration is controlled by regulating its acquisition and storage. Haemochromatosis is a condition involving iron overload that is characterised by increased duodenal iron absorption and a progressive accumulation of iron in vital organs. Hepcidin is the main hormone that regulates iron homoestasis and it is secreted by the liver.
Materials And Methods:
We have studied how extended hepcidin administration affects the iron load status, plasma and tissue iron concentration, erythropoiesis and the expression of proteins involved on iron homeostasis in haemochromatotic (Hfe(-/-)) and wild-type mice.
Results:
Hepcidin reverted the high plasma iron concentrations in Hfe(-/-) mice to normal values. The high concentration of hepatic iron was not altered in the liver of these Hfe(-/-) mice. Hepcidin administration did not disturb erythropoiesis in either Hfe(-/-) or wild-type mice and likewise, hepcidin did not modify the expression of any protein analysed in the liver, duodenum or spleen of Hfe(-/-) and wild-type mice. These data confirm that hepcidin administration diminishes plasma iron concentrations.
Conclusion:
Treatment with sustained doses of hepcidin diminishes plasma iron concentrations in Hfe(-/-) mice.
