Piperno A, Mariani R, Trombini P, Girelli D. Hepcidin modulation in human diseases: From research to clinic. World J Gastroenterol 2009; 15(5): 538-551 [PMID: 19195055 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.15.538]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Alberto Piperno, Professor, Department of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, University of Milano-Bicocca, S. Gerardo Hospital, Via Pergolesi 33, 20052, Monza, Italy. alberto.piperno@unimib.it
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World J Gastroenterol. Feb 7, 2009; 15(5): 538-551 Published online Feb 7, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.538
Hepcidin modulation in human diseases: From research to clinic
Alberto Piperno, Raffaella Mariani, Paola Trombini, Domenico Girelli
Alberto Piperno, Raffaella Mariani, Department of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, 20052, Italy
Alberto Piperno, Paola Trombini, Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hemochromatosis and Iron Overload Diseases, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, 20052, Italy
Domenico Girelli, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, 37100, Italy
Author contributions: Piperno A designed the paper; Mariani R, Trombini P and Girelli D contributed to acquisition of data; Piperno A wrote and revised the paper, Mariani R, Trombini P and Girelli D wrote the paper; Piperno A, Mariani R, Trombini P and Girelli D approved the final version.
Correspondence to: Alberto Piperno, Professor, Department of Clinical Medicine and Prevention, University of Milano-Bicocca, S. Gerardo Hospital, Via Pergolesi 33, 20052, Monza, Italy. alberto.piperno@unimib.it
Telephone: +39-39-2339555
Fax: +39-39-322274
Received: November 18, 2008 Revised: January 4, 2009 Accepted: January 11, 2009 Published online: February 7, 2009
Abstract
By modulating hepcidin production, an organism controls intestinal iron absorption, iron uptake and mobilization from stores to meet body iron need. In recent years there has been important advancement in our knowledge of hepcidin regulation that also has implications for understanding the physiopathology of some human disorders. Since the discovery of hepcidin and the demonstration of its pivotal role in iron homeostasis, there has been a substantial interest in developing a reliable assay of the hormone in biological fluids. Measurement of hepcidin in biological fluids can improve our understanding of iron diseases and be a useful tool for diagnosis and clinical management of these disorders. We reviewed the literature and our own research on hepcidin to give an updated status of the situation in this rapidly evolving field.
