Hepcidin in hemodialysis patients and its association with anemia and serum iron indices

Introduction: Anemia is one of the most common complications in dialysis patients. Deficiency of erythropoietin is the most common cause of anemia in dialysis patients. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have a negative iron balance. Hepcidin is an antibacterial peptide that its synthesis is controlled by the iron surface and inflammatory markers and plays an important role in iron hemostasis in hemodialysis patients. In the presence of anemia, the level of hepcidin in normal individuals is reduced. Therefore, the normal level of hepcidin in CKD individuals is considered high due to their anemia level, while, the level of hepcidin is reduced after dialysis. Objectives: We aimed to study the level of hepcidin-25 in hemodialysis patients and its relationship with anemia and serum iron indices. Patients and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 70 patients who fulfilled inclusion criteria enrolled in the study. Serum hepcidin 25 was measured by ELISA method. At the same time, blood samples were taken to measure other indices including iron, ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and albumin. Hepcidin-25 levels compared with other mentioned parameters. Statistical analysis was done in SPSS 18.0 software. Results: No significant relationship between inflammatory cytokines, TIBC and CRP and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) with hepcidin levels was detected. Additionally, relationship between serum iron, ferritin and hepcidin levels was not significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Assessment of hepcidin 25 level for inflammation and iron status does not seem to be helpful for anemia management in hemodialysis patients.