Key result
Pediatric NASH was associated with decreased serum iron and soluble transferrin receptor 1, and increased serum ferritin, suggesting a tendency towards iron deficiency.
Observational
Pediatric NASH patients show a tendency toward iron deficiency, which may be mechanistically linked to oxidative stress.
May prompt iron status evaluation in pediatric NASH; leaves open causal role and need for interventional trials.
Non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an obesity related liver disease characterized by steatosis and inflammation. Iron may play a role in NASH pathology as it catalyzes the production of reactive oxygen species. To examine the iron status in pediatric NASH, serum iron, ferritin, and soluble transferrin receptor 1 in NASH patients were compared to those in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database. Serum iron and soluble transferrin receptor 1 were decreased while serum ferritin was increased in NASH patients. No detectable iron was observed in NASH liver by Perls’ Prussian blue staining. Microarray and quantitative real‐time PCR indicated that the mRNA of transferrin, transferrin receptor 2 and catalase were significantly elevated in NASH patients, and that transferrin mRNA was positively correlated with catalase mRNA. To test the hypothesis that oxidative stress induces iron deficiency, HepG2 cells were treated with H 2 O 2 , and the mRNA of transferrin and catalase were induced and positively correlated. We conclude that there is a tendency towards iron deficiency in pediatric NASH patients. Increased liver gene expression of transferrin and transferrin receptor 2 supports a status of iron deficiency. Our finding that H 2 O 2 induces the expression of transferrin, and consequently, decreased iron absorption, suggests a novel mechanism for iron deficiency in NASH patients.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Moya et al. (2014) conducted an observational in Pediatric non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis vs. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database was evaluated on Serum iron, ferritin, and soluble transferrin receptor 1 levels. Pediatric NASH was associated with decreased serum iron and soluble transferrin receptor 1, and increased serum ferritin, suggesting a tendency towards iron deficiency.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: