Pathogenetic aspects of hepcidin metabolism and ferrocinetics dysregulation in carbohydrate metabolism disorders

Abstract

Hepcidin, a hormone regulating iron metabolism, has received attention for its role in the pathogenesis of dysregulations in carbohydrate metabolism. Hepcidin disorders in patients with diabetes mellitus are bi-directional: manifesting as iron overload syndrome in cases of decreased hepcidin production and as anaemia of chronic disease in cases of hepcidin hypersecretion. However, till date, detailed analyses of mechanisms underlying hepcidin dysregulation have not been conducted nor have the interactions of ferrocinetic and carbohydrate-metabolic disorders been examined. An association between diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases as well as the role of iron metabolism in Alzheimer or Parkinson diseases is a subject of ongoing research. This review provides a summary of the current understanding of hepcidin regulation and its disorders in various diseases, including diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, we provide an overview of the available therapies that address ferrocinetic disorders resulting from the dysregulation of hepcidin.

Keywords

• diabetes mellitus
• hepcidin
• anemia of chronic disease
• iron overload
• alzheimer disease
• parkinson disease