Hepcidin

Hepcidin is a hormone synthesized in hepatocytes. It is a peptide that controls Iron''' metabolism in the body. In the blood is transported to target tissues.In enterocytes and macrophages it blocks the export of iron from the cells . In other words, it keeps the iron in the cell.''' It was discovered in 2000 in human urine.

Function
Iron is absorbed in the duodenum via enterocytes and is transported to the plasma via ferroportin. In the event of hepcidin action ferroportin is degraded and thus the export of iron from the cell is blocked.

Disorders

 * Hepcidin may be completely absent - juvenile hemochromatosis.
 * If there is mutation of hepcidin gene - Hereditary hemochromatosis

Regulation

 * It is regulated by iron reservoir
 * Hepcidin decreases during anemia.
 * Hepcidin synthesis decreases with increased activity of erytropoesis.
 * Hepcidin synthesis increases during inflammations.

Related Articles

 * Liver
 * Hemochromatosis
 * Laboratory indicators of iron deficiency or excess
 * Anemia of chronic diseases

Extern links

 * http://www.martinvokurka.cz/zelezo.htm#hepcidin