Is hepcidin the star player in iron metabolism in chronic kidney disease?

Hamada, Yasuhiro; Fukagawa, Masafumi · Kidney Int · 2009

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

It is well known that abnormal iron metabolism contributes to the development of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Hepcidin is a circulating peptide produced in the liver that regulates efflux of iron from the cells. Ashby et al. measured the serum level of hepcidin using a new assay. Although the new assay produced mixed results and needs to be verified, these data suggest that hepcidin is not the only star player in iron metabolism in CKD.

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