scholarly journals Compensating functional iron deficiency in patients with allergies with targeted micronutrition

Author(s):  
Franziska Roth-Walter

SummaryIron deficiency is associated with atopy. Iron deficiency during pregnancy increases the risk of atopic diseases in children, while both allergic children and adults are more likely to have iron deficiency anemia. Immunologically, iron deficiency leads to activation of antigen-presenting cells, promotion of Th2 cells and enables antibody class switch in B cells. In addition, iron deficiency primes mast cells for degranulation, while an increase in their iron content inhibits their degranulation. Many allergens, especially those with lipocalin and lipocalin-like protein structures, are able to bind iron and either deprive or supply this trace element to immune cells. Thus, a local induced iron deficiency will result in immune activation and allergic sensitization. However, lipocalin proteins such as the whey protein β‑lactoglobulin (BLG) can also transport micronutrients into the defense cells (holo-BLG: BLG with micronutrients) and hinder their activation, thereby promoting tolerance and protecting against allergy. Since 2019, several clinical trials have also been conducted in allergic subjects using holo-BLG as a supplementary balanced diet, leading to a reduction in symptom burden. Supplementation with holo-BLG specifically supplied defense cells with micronutrients such as iron and therefore represents a new dietary approach to compensate for functional iron deficiency in allergy sufferers.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-130
Author(s):  
Swapana John ◽  

Anemia during pregnancy is a major world health concern especially in developing countries affecting the life of the women and the future of the child thereby influencing the present as well the future of the nation and the world at large. Nutritional deficiency still emerges out the main cause of iron deficiency anemia affecting the life of the pregnant women. The iron deficiency anemia has a major say in adverse pregnancy outcomes like pre term delivery, IUGR, morbidity even leading to mortality, however it is noted that severe anemia has a significant effect than moderate and mild anemia. A well balanced diet can avert this condition, nonetheless iron supplementations as per the government guidelines and various treatment available also help to tackle the situation. Education of the women and more awareness programmes on health, pregnancy and nutrition by the stakeholders can further reduce the incidence of anemia in pregnancy.


QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Mohamed Zaki Ali ◽  
Maha Abd ElMoniem Behairy ◽  
Reem Mohsen El Sharabasy ◽  
Ahmed Hamed Ahmed Gharib

Abstract Background Hepcidin has long been postulated as a key regulatory peptide in iron homeostasis. Its reduced clearance and elevated levels in hemodialysis (HD) patients lead to functional iron deficiency (FID) and ESA resistance. Vitamin C may be used as adjuvant therapy in FID anemia, but there are limited studies investigating the direct relation between vitamin C and hepcidin levels in HD patients. We aimed to test the reducing effect of Oral vitamin C therapy on hepcidin levels among hemodialysis patients with functional iron deficiency anemia. Patients and Methods This study is an open label randomized controlled clinical trial. It was conducted in the hemodialysis units of Ain Shams University hospitals. 48 adult prevalent HD patients were included and were divided into two groups. Group 1 (study group) included 31 patients who received the conventional treatment of erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs) together with oral supplementation of vitamin C 500 mg every other day for 3 months in addition to IV iron therapy. Group 2 (control group) included 17 patients who received only the conventional therapy of ESAs according to their hemoglobin (Hb) levels in addition to IV iron therapy. Laboratory parameters including serum hepcidin levels, highly sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) titer, CBC, kidney function tests and iron indices were measured at the baseline of the study and after 3 months. Results Oral vitamin C therapy resulted in a statistically significant reduction in both hepcidin and hs-CRP levels in the study group after 3 months. The study group showed a significant reduction in serum iron and ferritin levels (P < 0.05). A Decrease in EPO requirements and elevation of hemoglobin level were observed in the study group but were not statistically significant as a short term effect of oral vitamin C, in comparison to the control group. A highly significant correlation was observed between serum hepcidin and hs-CRP (R=0.46, P<0.01). Conclusion Oral vitamin C may be a promising therapy in decreasing serum hepcidin and hs-CRP levels in prevalent hemodialysis patients with functional iron deficiency anemia.


Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 5149-5149
Author(s):  
John Adamson ◽  
Zhu Li ◽  
Paul Miller ◽  
Annamaria Kausz

Abstract Abstract 5149 BACKGROUND Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is associated with reduced physical functioning, cardiovascular disease, and poor quality of life. The measurement of body iron stores is essential to the management of IDA, and the indices most commonly used to assess iron status are transferrin saturation (TSAT) and serum ferritin. Unfortunately, serum ferritin is not a reliable indicator of iron status, particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), because it is an acute phase reactant and may be elevated in patients with iron deficiency in the presence of inflammation. Recent clinical trials have shown that patients with iron indices above a strict definition of iron deficiency (TSAT >15%, serum ferritin >100 ng/mL), do have a significant increase in hemoglobin (Hgb) when treated with iron. These results are consistent with recent changes to the National Cancer Comprehensive Network (NCCN) guidelines, which have expanded the definition of functional iron deficiency (relative iron deficiency) to include a serum ferritin <800 ng/mL; previously, the serum ferritin threshold was <300 ng/mL. Additionally, for patients who meet this expanded definition of functional iron deficiency (TSAT <20%, ferritin <800 ng/mL), it is now recommended that iron replacement therapy be considered in addition to erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) therapy. Ferumoxytol (Feraheme®) Injection, a novel IV iron therapeutic agent, is indicated for the treatment of IDA in adult patients with CKD. Ferumoxytol is composed of an iron oxide with a unique carbohydrate coating (polyglucose sorbitol carboxymethylether), is isotonic, has a neutral pH, and evidence of lower free iron than other IV irons. Ferumoxytol is administered as two IV injections of 510 mg (17 mL) 3 to 8 days apart for a total cumulative dose of 1.02 g; each IV injection can be administered at a rate up to 1 mL/sec, allowing for administration of a 510 mg dose in less than 1 minute. METHODS Data were combined from 2 identically designed and executed Phase III randomized, active-controlled, open-label studies conducted in 606 patients with CKD stages 1–5 not on dialysis. Patients were randomly assigned in a 3:1 ratio to receive a course of either 1.02 g IV ferumoxytol (n=453) administered as 2 doses of 510 mg each within 5±3 days or 200 mg of oral elemental iron (n=153) daily for 21 days. The main IDA inclusion criteria included a Hgb ≤11.0 g/dL, TSAT ≤30%, and serum ferritin ≤600 ng/mL. The mean baseline Hgb was approximately 10 g/dL, and ESAs were use by approximately 40% of patients. To further evaluate the relationship between baseline markers of iron stores and response to iron therapy, data from these trials were summarized by baseline TSAT and serum ferritin levels. RESULTS Overall, results from these two pooled trials show that ferumoxytol resulted in a statistically significant greater mean increase in Hgb relative to oral iron. When evaluated across the baseline iron indices examined, statistically significant (p<0.05) increases in Hgb at Day 35 were observed following ferumoxytol administration, even for subjects with baseline iron indices above levels traditionally used to define iron deficiency. Additionally, at each level of baseline iron indices, ferumoxytol produced a larger change in Hgb relative to oral iron. These data suggest that patients with CKD not on dialysis with a wide range of iron indices at baseline respond to IV iron therapy with an increase in Hgb. Additionally, ferumoxytol consistently resulted in larger increases in Hgb relative to oral iron across all levels of baseline iron indices examined. Disclosures: Adamson: VA Medical Center MC 111E: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Li:AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Miller:AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Kausz:AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment.


2012 ◽  
Vol 08 (02) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Mark Janis ◽  

Anemia is highly prevalent, affecting approximately 40 % of cancer patients, and results in a significant decrease in health-related quality of life while also being associated with shorter cancer survival times. A recent survey of 15,000 cancer patients in Europe found that 39 % were anemic at the time of enrolment. In addition, anemia is a recognized complication of myelosuppressive chemotherapy, and it has been estimated that, in the US, around 1.3 million cancer patients who are not anemic at the time of diagnosis will develop anemia during the course of their disease. The etiology of anemia in cancer patients is variable and often multifactorial, and may be the result of an absolute or a functional iron deficiency. Cancer produces an enhanced inflammatory state within the body—causing hepcidin levels to increase and erythropoietin production to decrease—and results in a reduction in erythropoiesis due to impaired iron transport. This type of anemia is known as functional iron deficiency, where the body has adequate iron stores but there are problems with mobilization and transport of the iron. Absolute iron deficiency is when both iron stores and iron transport are low. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) treatment guidelines for cancer-related anemia recommend intravenous (IV) iron products alone for iron repletion in cancer patients with absolute iron deficiency, and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in combination with IV iron in cancer patients (currently undergoing palliative chemotherapy) with functional iron deficiency. Although IV iron has been demonstrated to enhance the hematopoietic response to ESA therapy, the use of supplemental iron has not yet been optimized in oncology. Here we discuss the significance of iron deficiency anemia in cancer patients and the need to implement tools to properly diagnose this condition, and we provide an overview of the management strategies and recommendations for patients with iron deficiency anemia as outlined in the NCCN guidelines.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 205435812093339
Author(s):  
Paweena Susantitaphong ◽  
Monchai Siribumrungwong ◽  
Kullaya Takkavatakarn ◽  
Kamonrat Chongthanakorn ◽  
Songkiat Lieusuwan ◽  
...  

Background: There is no consensus on intravenous (IV) iron supplement dose, schedule, and serum ferritin target in functional iron deficiency anemia to maintain optimum target levels of iron stores by several guidelines. Objective: To examine the effect of IV iron supplementation to different targets of serum ferritin on erythropoietin dose and inflammatory markers in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients with functional iron deficiency anemia. Design: A multicenter, randomized, open-label study. Setting: In a developing country, Thailand. Patients: Chronic HD patients with functional iron deficiency anemia. Measurements: Erythropoietin resistance index, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and fibroblast growth factor 23. Methods: Two hundred adult chronic HD patients with transferrin saturation less than 30% and serum ferritin of 200 to 400 ng/mL were randomized 1:1 to maintain serum ferritin 200 to 400 ng/mL (low-serum ferritin group, N = 100) or 600 to 700 ng/mL (high-serum ferritin group, N = 100). During a 6-week titration period, participants randomized to the high-serum ferritin group initially received 600 mg IV iron (100 mg every week), while the participants in the low-serum ferritin group did not receive IV iron. During the 6-month follow-up period, the dose of IV iron was adjusted by protocol. Results: The mean dose of IV iron was 108.3 ± 28.2 mg/month in the low-serum ferritin group and 192.3 ± 36.2 mg/month in the high-serum ferritin group. The mean serum ferritin was 367.0 ± 224.9 ng/mL in the low ferritin group and 619.6 ± 265.2 ng/mL in the high ferritin group. The erythropoietin resistance index was significantly decreased in the high-serum ferritin group compared to the low-serum ferritin group after receiving IV iron in the 6-week titration period (mean difference: −113.43 ± 189.14 vs 41.08 ± 207.38 unit/week/g/dL; P < .001) and 3-month follow-up period (mean differences: −88.88 ± 234.43 vs −10.48 ± 217.75 unit/week/g/dL; P = .02). Limitations: Short follow-up period. Conclusion: Maintaining a serum ferritin level of 600 to 700 ng/mL by IV iron administration of approximately 200 mg per month as a maintenance protocol can decrease erythropoietin dose requirements in chronic HD patients with functional iron deficiency anemia. Trials registration: The study was registered with the Thai Clinical Trials Registry TCTR20180903003.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 19677-19677
Author(s):  
G. Riebandt ◽  
S. A. South ◽  
K. Odunsi ◽  
S. Lele ◽  
K. Rodabaugh

19677 Background: Anemia is a common consequence of cancer which significantly impacts patient quality of life. The mainstay of treatment for cancer- and chemotherapy-related anemia is erythropoietin therapy. However, approximately 30% to 50% of patients will not respond to these growth factors. The literature attributes this lack of response to functional iron deficiency, when iron stores are normal but the body cannot meet the increased rate of erythropoiesis. We evaluated the iron status of patients with ovarian malignancies receiving chemotherapy and erythropoietin therapy to establish a baseline for implementation of an intervention service. Methods: After obtaining Institutional Review Board approval, we identified 55 ovarian cancer patients receiving erythropoietin therapy from January to December 2005. We then performed a retrospective chart review for patients who had iron studies available. Results: Thirty-four patients had complete iron studies performed, while an additional 10 had only a ferritin level obtained. The mean hemoglobin for all patients was 9.9g/dl (6.9–13.1) with a mean MCV (mean corpuscular volume) of 92.7fl. Four (12%) patients were iron deficient based on ferritin <100ng/ml and iron saturation <20%. However, these patients had normal MCVs, indicating iron deficiency was not the etiology of their anemia. A few patients were assessed for B12 and folate deficiency, but none were identified. Interestingly, we had 22 patients with elevated ferritin levels (greater than 322ng/ml), with the highest being 2178ng/ml. Conclusions: Our results identified a few patients who were iron deficient, but none were diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. Therefore, the role of routine iron screening in patients with a normal MCV prior to initiation of erythropoietin therapy is in question. We believe that functional iron deficiency may contribute to anemia in our population. Therefore, we suggest that all patients receive iron supplementation at erythropoietin therapy initiation. We plan to prospectively assess the optimal route of iron administration in ovarian cancer patients in order to improve the response rate to erythropoietic growth factors. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 3763-3763
Author(s):  
Mindy M. Yang ◽  
Mary Ann ◽  
Dawn E. Riordan ◽  
Min Fu ◽  
Victor Moyo ◽  
...  

Abstract Chronic anemia is common in the elderly (≥65) with a prevalence often exceeding 10%. Multiple comorbidities and multiple causes of anemia complicate anemia diagnosis in the elderly. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and anemia of chronic inflammation (ACI) both commonly occur in the elderly. Distinguishing ACI from the combination of IDA and ACI is difficult with conventional tests (serum iron, TIBC, TSAT, and ferritin), especially in elderly patients or those with multiple comorbidities. Recently, the serum transferrin receptor (sTfr) has been recommended to assess iron stores, although there is limited data in the elderly. Unlike ferritin, TIBC, or TSAT, sTfr Index (sTfr(mg/L)/[log10ferritin]) is not influenced by pro-inflammatory cytokines and may provide a more precise classification of iron status. Purpose: To determine the occurrence of iron deficiency alone or in combination with ACI in the elderly using the sTfr Index. Methods: The results of the sTfr Index were compared to ferritin, as well as serum iron, TIBC, and TSAT to determine the presence of iron deficiency alone or in combination with ACI. An sTfr Index of ≥2.0 was used to define iron deficiency. Data were obtained from ambulatory, community-dwelling elderly screened for three clinical trials for treatment of chronic anemia (Hb≤11g/dL x &gt;3 months) using epoetin alfa. No patients had a history of GI bleeding, active cancer, or recent infections. At the time of evaluation, no patients were receiving iron therapy. GFR was calculated using the Modification of Diet for Renal Disease (MDRD) Equation. Results: A total of 81 patients (mean age 75±6, range 66–89 years; 68 women and 13 men) were studied. Of these patients, 43 patients had a history of rheumatoid arthritis. 32% were African-American, 64% Caucasian, and 4% Hispanic/American-Indian. For the entire cohort, mean Hb was 10.3±0.9 g/dL; ferritin 148.0±180.9ng/mL; iron 61±33mcg/mL; TIBC 311±69mcg/dL (n=80); TSAT 19.7±11.0%; GFR 59.2±28.0mL/min/1.73m2 (n=78); sTfr Index was 3.02±3.16. There was no statistically significant difference in the severity of anemia between patients with and without iron deficiency (sTfr Index ≥2.0, Hb 10.3±0.8 vs. sTfr Index &lt;2.0, Hb 10.4±1.0g/dL). The following table summarizes the distribution of sTfr Index stratified by ferritin concentration. Twenty-six of 35 (74%) patients with a ferritin 30–100 ng/mL had sTfr Index ≥2.0 consistent with iron deficiency. However, using conventional iron tests (meeting 2 of 3 criteria: TIBC &gt;450mcg/dL, iron &lt;60mcg/dL, TSAT &lt;15%), only 19 of the 26 patients would have been identified as having IDA. Surprisingly, 9 of 33 (27%) patients with ferritin &gt;100ng/mL also had sTfr Index ≥2.0 suggesting functional iron deficiency in combination with ACI. Among all patients included in this analysis, compared to conventional iron tests, an univariate logistic regression analysis showed that with each unit increase in sTfr Index, the odds of being iron deficient, identified by conventional tests, significantly increased 3.4-fold (p&lt;0.0001, 95% CI: 1.8–6.1). Conclusions: Results with the sTfr Index suggest that iron deficiency in the elderly may be more common than reported with conventional iron tests. In community-dwelling elderly patients with ferritin levels consistent with ACI (&gt;100ng/mL) may have concomitant functional iron deficiency. The use of sTfr in older adults with milder anemia (Hb&gt;11g/dL) should also be evaluated. Ferritin (ng/mL) sTfr Index &lt; 30 30–100 &gt; 100 &lt; 2.0 0 9 24 2.0 – 3.0 1 17 5 &gt;3.0 12 9 4 Total 13 35 33


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