A strong anti-hepcidin activity has been observed in heparins. Mean hepcidin levels were significantly reduced compared to baseline, following the first day of unfractionated heparin administration in critically patients. Heparin displayed a strong independent negative association with hepcidin. These results may lead to future treatment methods of forms of anaemia characterised by hepcidin excess, common among the critically ill.
Keywords: anaemia in the critically ill; anti-hepcidin effect of heparins; hepcidin levels; iron metabolism; pleiotropic action of heparins.
© 2021 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.