Relationship between fat distribution, iron status, and hepcidin in Qatari obese adults

Abstract

Introduction: The global prevalence of obesity has reached an alarming rate. In addition to obesity and chronic diseases, high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies especially iron deficiency anemia (ADA) was observed in many countries.. Among the different potential causes of iron deficiency, the sequestration of iron through an inflammatory mediated was identified as the most probable cause of iron deficiency in obesity. Adipose tissue is recognized as an endocrine organ that contribute to the inflammatory process by secreting proinflammatory cytokines, and The role of hepcidin in the regulation of iron metabolism has been emphasized in recent years. Hepcidin represents the main regulator of intestinal iron absorption and macrophage iron release and , thus , ultimately of the iron available for erythropoiesis. Objectives: To examine the relationship between fat distribution (WC, total body fat %, and trunk fat %), iron status biomarkers and hepcidin in obese Qatari adults Methods: Secondary data was obtained from Qatar BioBank . The sample size consisted of 100 Qatari obese (male and female) aged 21-50 years free of chronic diseases. Subjects were randomly selected from data base. Collected data included anthropometric measurements (Wt, Ht, BMI, WC, % total fat and % trunk fat) , iron status biomarkers (iron, ferritin, transferrin saturation, Hb, RBC) , hepcidin and transferrin receptors. IDA was defined as Hb <12g/100ml for female and Hgb <13 g/100ml for male. Results: A high statistically significant association (P<0.05) was observed between IDA and the increase in trunk and total fat . We noted a decrease in ferritin, Hemoglobin, serum iron and RBC with an increase in % fat. There was a statistically significant correlation between the trunk fat% and iron status indicators: ferritin (r = -0.48), Hb (r= -0.64), serum iron (r= -0.29) and RBC (r= -0.51). Results indicated a significant decrease in hepcidin with an increase in total and trunk fat. A strong negative correlation between hepcidin, total body fat and trunk fat. Conclusion: The results of this study reported a high prevalence of IDA among obese. Abdominal obesity determined (WC, body and trunk fat) was correlated with iron biomarkers.