JEFE

Hepcidin and iron homeostasis during pregnancy

Making efficient absorption & GI friendly
• Hepcidin, a peptide hormone is the master regulator of systemic iron bioavailability in humans.
• Hepcidin concentrations markedly influence iron absorption and can affect the efficacy of iron repletion via supplemrntal or dietary sources.
• Hepcidin controls the efflux of iron into plasma by regulating Ferroportin.
• In addition controls the placenta, Ferroportin is located on tissues that actively

• export iron including intestinal enterocytes, reticuloendothelial macrophages, and hepatocytes.
• Hepcidin triggers Ferroportin degradation, reducing iron flux from these tissues thereby decreasing plasma iron concentrations and systemic iron bioavailability.
• Absorption of Heme-Iron is independent of hepcidin levels Heme-iron is superior to conventional iron supplements in terms of bioavailability and can be considered as a superior option for iron supplementation in pregnancy