title: Is There a Link Between Changes in Levels of Hepcidin and Stroke?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Iron is an essential element for the living body. It is well known that iron homeostasis disorders are important in two ways--its deficiency and its overload lead to several pathologies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured 17 patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA); 19 with anemia of chronic diseases (ACD); 15 with ischemic stroke (IS). The results were compared to a previously selected control group. For evaluation of iron metabolism status, we measured serum iron levels, ferritin, and soluble transferrin receptors. For inflammation, serum interleukin-6 and hsCRP were measured. Serum hepcidin quantification was performed using a previously validated immunosorbent method. Ferritin was measured by an ECLIA method; serum iron on AAS; hsCRP using a nephelometric analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found statistically significant elevated serum hepcidin levels in patients with ACD and IS compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Patients with IDA had statistically significant lower hepcidin levels compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Serum ferritin levels in the IS group was higher compared to the control and other groups (p < 0.001). The lowest ferritin concentrations were established in the IDA group compared to the control (p < 0.001). We found a strong correlation between serum hepcidin and ferritin levels in the IS group (r = 0.583; p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quantification of serum hepcidin levels might be used as a link for prediction of acute ischemic stroke and future therapeutic influences.
authors.forename: Julia J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Petrova
authors.forename: Victor Em
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Manolov
authors.forename: Savina P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hadjidekova
authors.forename: Evgeniy A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Hadjiev
authors.forename: Boris I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Bogov
authors.forename: Borislav M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Marinov
authors.forename: Vasil G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Vasilev
authors.forename: Kamen N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Tzatchev
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D064451:Hepcidins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D064451:Hepcidins; D005293:Ferritins