A relationship between serum ferritin and the insulin resistance syndrome is present in non‐diabetic women but not in non‐diabetic men

Abstract

We observed that a relationship between serum ferritin levels and insulin resistance exists in women but not in men. This sexual dimorphism merits further investigation.

Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and the inflammation markers C-reactive protein and ferritin

“…There is also increasing evidence of a relationship between MS, individual MS components, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes on the one hand, and, on the other, high levels of iron deposits as measured by the concentration of the acute phase reactant ferritin in serum (Merkel et al, 1988;Dmochowski et al, 1993;Fernandez-Real et al, 1998;Salonen et al, 1998;Gillum, 2001;Piperno et al, 2002;Sheu et al, 2003;Jehn et al, 2004;Jiang et al, 2004), although the nature of this relationship is far from completely elucidated. For example, while elevation of ferritin levels seems clearly to precede the development of diabetes (Gillum, 2001;Jiang et al, 2004), the temporal relationship with MS is less clear (Jehn et al, 2004).…”

“…High CRP is likewise predictive of diabetes (Pradhan et al, 2001;Thorand et al, 2003). Ferritin, another acute phase reactant, has also been related to insulin resistance (Fernandez-Real et al, 1998;Sheu et al, 2003), MS (Jehn et al, 2004) and diabetes (Jiang et al, 2004). However, now there is increasing evidence that elevated body iron stores, evaluated by serum ferritin, may be associated with hypertension, dyslipidaemia, elevated fasting insulin and blood glucose and central obesity.…”

Iron Intake and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Women

“…In this genetic disorder, iron deposition occurs in most tissues including the liver, heart, musculoskeletal system, and pancreas (resulting in secondary diabetes). High body iron stores less extreme than those in hemochromatosis have been linked to insulin resistance (10). Iron is a strong prooxidant that catalyzes the formation of hydroxyl radicals, and the increase in oxidative stress may be associated with the risk of diabetes (45).…”

“…Several studies have suggested a possible link between high body iron stores and metabolic parameters (9 -13) (serum insulin and glucose) as well as hyp e r t e n s i o n ( 9 , 1 4 ) , d y s l i p i d e m i a (9,15,16), and obesity (9,17). In addition, epidemiological studies have reported an association between high iron stores and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (18), metabolic syndrome (10,12,19), gestational diabetes (20,21), and type 2 diabetes (22-27). The major source of body iron is derived from the diet.…”

Safety Issues in Iron Treatment in CKD

“…Pancreatic β cells are highly susceptible to oxidative stress because of a strict reliance on mitochondrial glucose metabolism, their limited antioxidant defense capacity, 78 and their high capacity for iron uptake via divalent metal transporters. 79 In addition to frank iron overload, subtle increases in dietary heme content (red meat) and a modest increase of body iron stores are associated with insulin resistance, 80,81 metabolic syndrome, 82,83 and gestational diabetes. 84 There is evidence that reducing body iron stores with bloodletting or blood donation ameliorates insulin resistance and improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.…”