Received 27 March 2008; received in revised form 29 May 2008; accepted 2 June 2008.
Abstract
Background
Hepcidin regulates extracellular iron concentration by inhibiting iron release from macrophages and preventing iron absorption in the intestine. Our objective was to evaluate the expression of hepcidin in the liver in acute iron poisoning in a rat model.
Methods
Male Wistar rats were assigned to group 1, who received 750 mg/kg elemental iron (LD50) by gavage, and group 2 (control), who received distilled water. Iron concentrations and liver transaminases were measured in the serum. Hepcidin messenger RNA levels were measured in the liver.
Results
Mean serum iron levels, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and uric acid were significantly higher in group 1 compared to group 2 (P < .0001, P = .01, P < .0001, and P = 0.0001, respectively). Hepcidin messenger RNA levels in the liver were significantly higher in the study group (P = .005).
Conclusions
In acute iron intoxication, hepcidin expression in the liver significantly increased. Further studies are needed to determine whether hepcidin levels correlate with the severity of the intoxication.
aPharmacy Department, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin 70300, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
bClinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin 70300, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
cBiochemical Laboratory, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin 70300, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
dAnimal Care Laboratory, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin 70300, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
ePharmacology and Physiology Department, The Chaim Sheba Medical Centre, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
fCancer Research Centre and Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, Edmond and Lily Safra Children's Hospital, The Chaim Sheba Medical Centre, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
Corresponding author. Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin 70300, Israel. Tel.: +972 8 9779152; fax: +972 8 9779138.
ABSTRACT