Serum hepcidin reference range, gender differences, menopausal dependence and biochemical correlates in healthy subjects

Abstract

Background: Hepcidin has emerged as the central regulatory molecule of iron homeostasis. Iron deficiency and iron overload play a major role in molecular insights of many disease states and serum hepcidin normal values and biochemical correlations are of substantial importance. Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the serum hepcidin reference range, gender and age differences, menopausal dependence and biochemical correlates in healthy subjects. Methods: Serum hepcidin concentration was measured with a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DRG Hepcidin-25 ELISA Kit) together with hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum iron, transferrin and C-reactive protein in 120 healthy subjects both men and pre-and post-menopausal women. Results: Normal serum hepcidin values were found in the range of 1,23 - 36,46 ng/mL (mean 9,25 ± 6,45 ng/ mL).There were statistically significant differences in measured hepcidin levels between men (12,34 ± 7,37 ng/mL) and women (6,16 ± 3,2 ng/mL) (p<0.01) and between premenopausal (5,51 ± 2,8 ng/mL) and post-menopausal women (7,29 ± 3,59 ng/mL) (p<0,05). Strong correlations were found with serum ferritin and hemoglobin but not with serum iron, transferrin and CRP. No 5-year age interval differences were deemed significant. Conclusion: Serum hepcidin concentration varied substantially between subjects, which is reflected in wide reference ranges. Serum hepcidin levels were gender and menopausal status related and were in correlation with hemoglobin and serum ferritin in healthy subjects.