Risk of Iron Overload in Obesity and Implications in Metabolic Health.
Excessive adiposity is associated with several metabolic perturbations including disturbances in iron homeostasis. Increased systemic inflammation in obesity stimulates expression of the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin, which can result in a maldistribution of bodily iron, which may be implicated in metabolic dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the effect of adiposity and any associated inflammation on iron homeostasis and the potential implications of dysregulated iron metabolism on metabolic health. Analyses are based on a subsample from the cross-sectional Irish National Adult Nutrition Survey (2008-2010) (n = 1120). Ferritin status and risk of iron overload were determined based on established WHO ferritin ranges. Participants were classed as having a healthy % body fat or as having overfat or obesity based on age- and gender-specific % body fat ranges as determined by bioelectrical impedance. Biomarkers of iron status were examined in association with measures of body composition, serum adipocytokines and markers of metabolic health. Excessive % body fat was significantly associated with increased serum hepcidin and ferritin and an increased prevalence of severe risk of iron overload amongst males independent of dietary iron intake. Elevated serum ferritin displayed significant positive associations with serum triglycerides and markers of glucose metabolism, with an increased but non-significant presentation of metabolic risk factors amongst participants with overfat and obesity at severe risk of iron overload. Increased adiposity is associated with dysregulations in iron homeostasis, presenting as increased serum hepcidin, elevated serum ferritin and an increased risk of iron overload, with potential implications in impairments in metabolic health.
['Moore Heslin|Aoibhín|A|0000-0001-6257-4083', "O'Donnell|Aisling|A|", 'Buffini|Maria|M|', 'Nugent|Anne P|AP|0000-0002-0206-1320', 'Walton|Janette|J|0000-0003-4758-5328', 'Flynn|Albert|A|0000-0002-7072-4202', 'McNulty|Breige A|BA|0000-0003-0841-063X']
D054392:Adipokines D050154:Adiposity D000328:Adult D015415:Biomarkers D001786:Blood Glucose D001823:Body Composition D000083202:Cardiometabolic Risk Factors D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D005260:Female D005293:Ferritins D064451:Hepcidins D006706:Homeostasis D006801:Humans D007249:Inflammation D007494:Ireland D019190:Iron Overload D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009749:Nutrition Surveys D009765:Obesity D015995:Prevalence D012737:Sex Factors D014280:Triglycerides
iron overload metabolic health inflammation hepcidin ferritin body fat