The Optimization of Iron Bioavailability of Supplements Using Hepcidin Levels in Humans

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Background: Oral iron supplementation (OIS) is a widely-used strategy to treat iron deficiency anemia. However, absorption of OIS is often low and response is variable. To overcome this, large doses are given but this may reduce compliance due to gastric irritation. Thus, OIS doses should be low, while maximizing absorption. The prevailing serum hepcidin concentration (SHep) is the major determinant of iron absorption and erythrocyte iron utilization. Based on limited data in humans, SHep can be increased by a single OIS dose but the duration of the increase is uncertain: In a recent study conducted in our laboratory it has been found to last approx. 24 h. Also, there are few data on how the increase in SHep determines the absorption of further doses of oral iron. Is there a threshold SHep at which subsequent iron absorption is sharply reduced? Better understanding of this relationship would be valuable to design more effective and safer OIS regimens. Objectives: 1) Determine whether two consecutive dosages of 60 mg Fe differently affect hepcidin response and iron bioavailability (Study 1) 2) Compare the bioavailability of iron supplement dosages given at different times of the day (Study 2). Methods/Subjects: Healthy female subjects will be screened for low iron status. Anemic subjects will be excluded from the study. Thirty two subjects will be included with serum ferritin <20 µg/L, C-reactive protein <5 mg/L and Hemoglobin >117 g/L. Subjects will be randomized in two groups and their Hepcidin (sHep) and iron status markers monitored at day 1 (baseline). Subjects will receive iron supplement dosages of 60 mg with stable iron isotopes 54Fe, 57Fe, 58Fe in form of 4 mg of FeSO4. Prior administration blood samples will be collected to monitor sHep and iron status markers. Outcome: The combined use of stable iron isotopes and a sensitive SHep assay will allow for better understanding of the iron-hepcidin relationship and this may enable design of more effective OIS regimens.

Official Title
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The Optimization of Iron Bioavailability of Supplements Using Hepcidin Levels in Humans: Effect of the Time of Administration and Consecutive Day Administration of Commonly Used Dosages

Conditions
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Iron Deficiency

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: 60 mg Fe as FeSO4 with stable isotopic labels


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Generally healthy, no blood donation in the last 4 months, not pregnant, not lactating, not taking vitamin and mineral supplements 2 weeks prior the study, non smoker, weight <65 Kg, BMI between 18 and 25. No anemia (defined as 11.7 g/dl, Serum ferritin level < 20 microgram/L).

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 45 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Iron absorption assessement<br>60 mg Fe as FeSO4 with stable isotopic labels participants will receive at different times of the day (total of three dosages) and follow a standardized diet scheme. Subjects will act as their own controls during the study | Dietary Supplement: 60 mg Fe as FeSO4 with stable isotopic labels<br>* Subjects will receive FeSo4 supplements labeled with stable isotopic labels (54Fe, 57Fe, 58Fe) and iron absorption will be measured for each administration<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Iron absorption of stable isotopic tracers. | Stable iron isotopes will be administered under standardized conditions and close supervision. Iron absorption will be calculated from the shift in the normal isotopic abundance in Red blood cells 14 days after test meal incorporation. | 14 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Iron status | To characterize participants, iron status will be assessed by measuring serum ferritin. | 14 days | 
| Inflammatory status | To characterize subjects participating to the study, C- reactive protein will be measured as inflammatory marker. | 14 days | 
| Hepcidin level | As a determinant of iron absorption (primary outcome) hepcidin level will be measured at all timepoint prior administration of stable isotopic label tracers. | 14 days | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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hepcidin, iron bioavailability, iron supplementation