Immunoassay for human serum hepcidin

Abstract

We developed and validated the first serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for hepcidin, the principal iron-regulatory hormone that has been very difficult to measure. In healthy volunteers, the 5% to 95% range of hepcidin concentrations was 29 to 254 ng/mL in men (n = 65) and 17 to 286 ng/mL in women (n = 49), with median concentrations 112 versus 65 (P < 10 ng/mL), iron-depleted HFE hemochromatosis, and juvenile hemochromatosis. Serum hepcidin concentrations were high in patients with inflammation (C-reactive protein > 10 mg/ dL), multiple myeloma, or chronic kidney disease. The new serum hepcidin enzymelinked immunosorbent assay yields accurate and reproducible measurements that appropriately reflect physiologic, pathologic, and genetic influences, and is informative about the etiology of iron disorders. © 2008 by The American Society of Hematology.