Impact of Hepcidin-25 Biomarker on Antioxidant Status and Trace Elements in Pediatric Iron Deficiency.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the regulatory role of serum hepcidin-25 on the iron metabolism, antioxidant defense mechanisms, and trace element concentrations in children aged 2-10 years with early iron deficiency (EID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and to evaluate its interface with iron profile, trace elements such as; zinc (Zn), cupper (Cu) and magnesium (Mg) along with antioxidant markers (catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)).

METHODS

This study involved 90 children. Based on hemoglobin levels and iron status, they were categorized into control (n = 30), EID (n = 30), and IDA (n = 30). Blood samples were obtained to assess hematological parameters, iron profile, serum hepcidin-25, trace elements, and antioxidant markers.

RESULTS

Serum hepcidin-25 levels were significantly lower in both IDA (3.73 [1.92-6.30] ng/mL) and EID (7.22 [4.32-9.08] ng/mL) groups compared to controls (10.62 [6.69-17.35] ng/mL) (p < 0.0001). Zn, CAT, and SOD levels were also significantly reduced in both EID (Zn: 55.86 ± 14.89 µg/dL; CAT: 10.55 ± 8.17 kU/L; SOD: 0.84[0.71-0.84] U/mL) and IDA (Zn: 55.33 ± 14.63 µg/dL; CAT: 7.68 ± 5.04 kU/L; SOD: 0.83[0.76-0.87]U/mL) groups compared to the control group (Zn: 92.46 ± 26.41 µg/dL; CAT: 15.78 ± 3.26 kU/L; SOD: 1.05[0 .83- 1.20] U/mL) (p < 0.05). Mg and GST levels were significantly decreased in the IDA group (p < 0.05). Serum hepcidin-25 showed significant positive correlations with serum iron (ρ = 0.45), transferrin saturation (ρ = 0.44), Zn (ρ = 0.32), Mg (ρ = 0.24), SOD (ρ = 0.37), and CAT (ρ = 0.28), p < 0.05.

CONCLUSION

These results support hepcidin-25 biomarker suppression as an indicator for iron deficits and systemic iron deficiency disturbances that affect trace elements and antioxidant activities.