Hepcidin, Interleukin-6 Levels and Iron Metabolism Parameters in Patients with Hepatic Glycogen Storage Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Hepatic glycogen storage diseases (GSD) are characterized by recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia, and anemia has been recognized as a frequent complication of these disorders. This was a convenience cross-sectional study to evaluate hepcidin and IL-6 concentrations in patients with hepatic GSD and their association with anemia and other parameters of iron metabolism. Levels of hepcidin, IL-6, and markers of iron metabolism were measured in 32 patients receiving uncooked cornstarch therapy for GSD (GSD Ia= 18; Ib= 7; III= 3; IXa= 3; IXb= 1; median age 9.5 years). IL-6 concentrations were compared to those of 8 individuals heterozygous for GSD. Nine patients were anemic and five patients had hepatic adenomas. IL-6 levels were higher in patients than in heterozygotes. Eight patients had hyperferritinemia, and one had elevated transferrin saturation as well. Hepcidin correlated positively with ferritin levels. IL-6 correlated with hemoglobin, iron, transferrin, and transferrin saturation. There was no correlation between hepcidin and IL-6 levels. Patients with GSD Ib had the highest IL-6 levels. Anemia is a common finding in hepatic GSD, especially in GSD Ib, the type of GSD associated with the highest IL-6 levels. These findings suggest that inflammation is strongly associated with development of anemia in GSD Ib.