Hepcidin Is a Reliable Marker of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Hepcidin and Iron Status in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Undergoing Induction Therapy With Vedolizumab or Infliximab

BACKGROUND

Hepcidin, the systemic iron regulator, could be critical in differentiating iron deficiency (ID) from functional iron restriction in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We assessed hepcidin as a diagnostic ID marker and explored the relationship between hepcidin and its regulators in patients with IBD undergoing induction therapy with infliximab (IFX) or vedolizumab (VEDO).

METHODS

Patients with active IBD receiving induction therapy with IFX or VEDO were included. Serum samples at baseline and after 6 weeks of induction therapy were analyzed for hepcidin, inflammation- and hypoxia-associated cytokines, and oxidative stress. Data were analyzed by stratifying based on the response at week 14. Results were compared with samples from age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects.

RESULTS

Patients receiving induction therapy with IFX (n = 71) or VEDO (n = 51) and healthy control subjects (n = 50) were included. At baseline, hepcidin correlated positively with ferritin and negatively with soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin index (P < .001). ID was prevalent in 96.7% of patients who had hepcidin levels below the median. Hepcidin accurately identified ID: the area under the curve (hepcidin) was 0.89 (95% confidence interval, 0.82-0.95; P < .001). In total, 75.4% of patients responded to induction therapy; inflammation, hepcidin, and ferritin decreased significantly, while transferrin increased during induction therapy. These changes were observed only in patients who responded to the therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepcidin levels in IBD are primarily determined by ID, even in an inflammatory state. In addition, induction therapy can decrease hepcidin levels, which might lead to better bioavailability of iron supplements. Therefore, hepcidin is a potential diagnostic ID biomarker that could assist therapeutic decision making.

The effect of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on hepcidin-25 and erythropoiesis in patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Hepcidin is considered to play a central role in the pathophysiology of renal anemia. Recent studies in healthy individuals have demonstrated a suppressive effect of vitamin D (VD) on the expression of hepcidin. In this post-hoc analysis based on a randomized controlled study, we evaluated the effect of supplementing chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients (stage G3-G4) with a high daily dose of native VD on serum levels of hepcidin-25, the hepcidin/ferritin ratio, as well as on markers of erythropoiesis.

METHODS

Patients with CKD stage G3-G4 included in a double blind, randomized, placebo (PBO) controlled study with available hepcidin measurements were analyzed. Study subjects received either 8000 international units (IU) of cholecalciferol daily or PBO for 12 weeks. We evaluated the change in markers of hepcidin expression, erythropoiesis, and iron status from baseline to week 12 and compared the change between the groups.

RESULTS

Eighty five patients completed the study. Calcitriol, but not 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D), was inversely correlated with serum levels of hepcidin-25 (rho = -0,38; p =  < 0, 01 and rho = -0,02; p = 0, 89, respectively) at baseline. Supplementation with VD significantly raised the serum concentration of serum 25(OH)D in the treatment group (from 54 (39-71) to 156 (120-190) nmol/L; p =  < 0, 01)) but had no effect on any of the markers of hepcidin, erythropoiesis, or iron status in the entire cohort. However, we did observe an increase in hemoglobin (HB) levels and transferrin saturation (TSAT) as compared to the PBO group in a subgroup of patients with low baseline 25(OH)D levels (< 56 nmol/L). In contrast, in patients with high baseline 25(OH)D values (≥ 56 nmol/L), VD supplementation associated with a decrease in HB levels and TSAT (p = 0,056) within the VD group in addition to a decrease in hepcidin levels as compared to the PBO group.

CONCLUSION

High-dose VD supplementation had no discernible effect on markers of hepcidin or erythropoiesis in the entire study cohort. However, in patients with low baseline 25(OH)D levels, high-dose VD supplementation associated with beneficial effects on erythropoiesis and iron availability. In contrast, in patients with elevated baseline 25(OH)D levels, high-dose VD supplementation resulted in a decrease in hepcidin levels, most likely due to a deterioration in iron status.

Effects of CB2 and TRPV1 Stimulation on Osteoclast Overactivity Induced by Iron in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

The reduction of bone mineral density and osteoporosis have high impacts on the health of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We have previously shown that a dysregulated iron metabolism occurs in IBD and leads to a decrease in circulating iron concentration and excessive intracellular sequestration of iron. Studies suggest that iron overload significantly affects the bone, accelerating osteoclast (OC) differentiation and activation, promoting bone resorption. Moreover, we demonstrated that iron overload causes OC overactivity. The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) and the transient receptor potential vanilloid type-1 (TRPV1) are potential therapeutic targets for bone diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of CB2 and TRPV1 receptors and of iron in the development of osteoporosis in pediatric IBD.

METHODS

We differentiated OCs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with IBD and healthy donors and evaluated CB2 and TRPV1 receptor expression; OC activity, and iron metabolism by Western blot, TRAP assays, bone resorption assays, and iron assays. Moreover, we analyzed the effects of the pharmacological modulation of CB2 and TRPV1 receptors on OC activity and on the iron metabolism.

RESULTS

We confirmed the well-known roles of CB2 and TRPV1 receptors in bone metabolism and suggested that their stimulation can reduce the OC overactivity induced by iron, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of pediatric IBD-related bone resorption.

CONCLUSIONS

Stimulation of CB2 and TRPV1 could reduce IBD-related osteoporosis due to their direct effects on OC activity and to modulating the iron metabolism.

Iron Deficiency in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Prospective Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Iron deficiency (ID) is a frequent condition in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

AIM

Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of ID in patients with IBD.

METHODS

This was a prospective multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in 21 gastroenterology departments in France between January and March 2020. All adult patients with confirmed IBD who were admitted to the hospital were eligible for inclusion. ID was defined as ferritinemia ≤ 100 μg/L in patients with signs of inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥ 5 mg/L) or ferritinemia < 30 μg/L in the absence of inflammation.

RESULTS

In total, 1036 IBD (685 Crohn's disease and 351 ulcerative colitis) patients (52.1% women) with a mean age of 41.8 ± 15.5 years were recruited. Approximately half of the patients (504, 51.1%) were in disease remission at the time of enrollment. Systematic monitoring of iron status was performed in 12/21 (57%) participating centers, including measurements of ferritin (12/12, 100%), hemoglobin (11/12, 92%), transferrin saturation (TSAT) (6/12, 50.0%), and serum iron (5/12, 42%). About one-fifth of the patients had been treated with intravenous iron (218, 21.0%), whereas only a small percentage received oral iron (36, 3.5%). ID occurred in 97 patients (23.7% CI 95% 19.8-28.1). Patients with moderate/severe IBD activity (OR: 3.66; CI 95% 24.4-61.2; p = 0.007) or concomitant anemia (OR: 3.66; CI 95% 1.97-6.78; p < 0.001) had an increased likelihood of having ID.

CONCLUSION

Patients with moderate/severe IBD activity or concomitant anemia are at increased risk of ID. Early detection and management of ID in patients with IBD is recommended.

Iron deficiency anemia in IBD: an overlooked comorbidity

Introduction: Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) is a leading cause of anemia in Inflammatory Bowel disease (IBD). IDA affects quality of life (QoL) and lead to developmental and cognitive abnormalities. Diagnosis of IDA in IBD is complicated as biochemical tests available at present cannot help distinguish between IDA and anemia of chronic disease. Soluble transferrin receptor ferritin index has been gaining popularity as it can diagnose IDA in presence of chronic inflammation. ECCO guidelines recommend a Hb increase of >2 g/dL and a TfS of >30% within 4 weeks as adequate therapeutic response. IV iron is preferred over oral iron as it bypasses gastrointestinal tract, rapidly increases haemoglobin, and is not associated with intestinal inflammation. Our aim in this review is to provide apathway for physicians to help them diagnose and appropriately treat IDA in IBD.Areas covered: In this review article, we have discussed current diagnosis and treatment in detail and have proposed new directions on how future research can help manage IDA in IBD effectively.Expert opinion: Understanding the pathogenesis of IDA in IBD will further lead to exploring new potential diagnostic tests and treatment regimens for effective management of IDA in IBD.