Relationships between iron status, serum hepcidin and inflammation in female Soldiers during military training
Abstract
Expression of hepcidin, a key hormone regulating iron homeostasis, may be affected by factors including iron stores and inflammation, but these relationships are not well characterized in humans. This study examined relationships between serum hepcidin concentration, iron status and inflammation in female Soldiers during basic combat training (BCT). Iron status indicators, serum hepcidin, and markers of inflammation were measured in fasted female Soldiers (n=40) during the initial (Pre) and final (Post) weeks of a 9‐wk BCT course. Iron status and inflammation declined during BCT; red cell distribution width and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) increased while ferritin, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and C‐reactive protein decreased (p≤0.01, all such). Hepcidin concentrations were lower in iron‐deficient compared to iron‐normal Soldiers (p<0.05), and were similar pre‐ versus post‐BCT. Hepcidin was positively correlated with ferritin, transferrin saturation (TS) and IL‐6 pre‐BCT (p<0.05, all such). Post‐BCT, hepcidin was positively correlated with ferritin, hemoglobin and TS, and negatively with sTfR (p<0.05, all such). These data demonstrate relationships between hepcidin, iron status and inflammation, and suggest declining iron status in female Soldiers during BCT may be regulated, in part, by both changes in serum hepcidin and inflammation. Funded by MRMC.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2010
- Source ID
- 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.717.1
Entities
People
- Andrew J Young
- Harris R Lieberman
- J Philip Karl
- James P. Mcclung
- Kelly W. Williams
- Sonya J. Cable
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research and Development Command
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine