Prohepcidin and iron metabolism parameters in the obese elderly patients with anemia.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the impact of a body fat content on the concentration of a serum prohepcidin, iron metabolism parameters and inflammation markers in elderly patients with microcytic or normocytic anemia.

DESIGN

Clinical study with biochemical and anthropometric measurements.

SUBJECTS

Fifty two elderly patients (19 male, 33 female) with anemia, 65-91 years of age.

MEASUREMENTS

Prohepcidin, ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor, erythropoietin and interleukin-6 were measured using commercially available ELISA kits. Iron, TIBC, transferrin, C-reactive protein and complete blood count were assayed using standard laboratory methods. Body fat content, fat distribution and protein nutrition state parameters were assessed by means of anthropometry.

RESULTS

Mean serum prohepcidin levels were significantly higher in patients with high body fat content in comparison to patients with normal body fat content (224,85 vs 176,6 ng/ml). Prohepcidin levels of the elderly patients with anemia were positively correlated with biceps, subscapular and suprailiac skinfold thickness or body fat mass percentage. In our study serum prohepcidin levels do not correlate with any iron parameters or inflammation markers.

CONCLUSION

Summing up, the results of this study indicate that increased prohepcidin concentration, observed in obese elderly patients with anemia, may play an important role in iron deficiency development.