Influence of hepcidin on iron metabolism

摘要

The main role of iron is being part of haemoglobin, whose level it stabilizes; however, iron also plays a veru important role in immunological processes and the metabolism of the organism. Hepcidin is a peptide hormone. It was first isolated from human blood and urine, and its release was attributed to the liver. A failure to produce hepcidin is related to iron overload, while its excessive production to anaemia caused by iron deficit. The releasing of hepcidin also affects hypoxia and inllaniniation through inhibiting these processes In patients with haemochromatosis. Therc are three forms of the regulation of the iron level: the first is a regulation in cellular storages, the second is erythropoiesis and the third is a dietary regulator. Hepcidinwas identified as a regulator which communicates the level of iron reserves in the organism to intestine cells responsible for the absorption of iron. In inflammatory conditions, when the organism wishes to cause alimentary iron deficit, hepcidin production increases even a hundred fold, thus leading to anaemia, Depcidin Is also a stimulator of inflammation as an antibacterial factor produced in the liver parenchyma. It decreases the absorption of iron in the intestines and increases the secretion of iron to the reticuloendothelial system. Experiments on animals deprived of hepcidin and animals with its excess make it possible to understand iron homeostasis and confirm the role of hepcidin as a hormone regulating iron metabolism.