Elevated hepcidin, ferroportin associated with glucose metabolism disorder in midpregnancy

Abstract

[Objective]: Hepcidin and ferroportin are major regulators of iron metabolism. Although many previous studies have shown that iron metabolism disorder may contribute to the pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), few studies have investigated hepcidin and other iron metabolism parameters in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between hepcidin, ferroportin and GDM. [Methods]: A case-control study was conducted in 85 women with GDM and 85 women without GDM (controls) who received regular prenatal care at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University from October 2015 to May 2016. Serum ferritin (SF), hepcidin (Hepc), ferroportin (FPN), and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), as well as other clinical parameters, were detected and analyzed in all groups. [Results]: The levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) 1-h and 2-h plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), SF, Hepc, FPN and sTfR as well as homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were significantly higher in the GDM group (P<0.05 for all). In the GDM group, FPN was positively correlated OGTT-1 h and OGTT-2 h In the control group, only sTfR was positively correlated with OGTT-1 h. There was no correlation between the iron metabolism indicators in both GDM and control group.[Conclusion]: Hepc, FPN sRfR and SF levels were higher in the GDM group. Elevated Hepc and FPN are associated with glucose metabolism disorder and may play an important role in GDM.