Comparison of serum prohepcidin and iron metabolism parameters in obese and non-obese elderly individuals

Abstract

Introduction: Current knowledge indicates that there is a close connection between being overweight, obesity and iron metabolism disorders, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Hepcidin could be a major contributor to poor iron status observed in the obese population. Material and methods: The study was performed in 58 obese elderly individuals (F/M 34/24) aged 65-91 (78.92 ± 8.32) years. The control group consisted of 15 non-obese elderly volunteers, age- and sex-matched. Based on the WHO definition, 36 (62%) obese individuals were diagnosed with normo- or microcytic anaemia. The following parameters were determined: prohepcidin, haemoglobin, serum iron, erythropoietin, ferritin and C-reactive protein (CRP). Results: Prohepcidin concentrations were significantly increased in obese elderly individuals without anaemia compared to obese and anaemic (p < 0.01) as well as non-obese volunteers (p < 0.01). In obese individuals with anaemia there was a decrease in serum iron, concomitant with increased levels of erythropoietin and CRP compared to two other groups. Ferritin concentration was increased in obese people (with and without anaemia) compared to the non-obese group. Serum prohepcidin levels were positively correlated with fat mass percentage in obese individuals without and with anaemia (r = 0.32; p = 0.02). Conclusion: Results of this preliminary study suggest that body fat content does have an impact on prohepcidin concentration, and thereby on iron homeostasis.