Giving iron directly into the bloodstream of mice with heart cell hepcidin deficiency stops their hearts from failing, proving that the heart problems are caused by the heart cells not getting enough iron.
Scientific Claim
Intravenous iron supplementation prevents cardiac dysfunction in mice with cardiomyocyte-specific hepcidin deletion, demonstrating that cardiomyocyte iron deficiency causes the cardiac phenotype.
Original Statement
“Prevention of cardiac dysfunction in Hampfl/fl;Myh6.Cre+ mice by intravenous iron treatment confirms the causal relationship between cardiomyocyte iron deficiency and cardiac dysfunction in this setting.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The study shows an association between iron supplementation and prevention of cardiac dysfunction, but cannot establish causation due to lack of randomization and small sample size. 'Causes' is too strong; 'is associated with' is more appropriate.
More Accurate Statement
“Intravenous iron supplementation is associated with prevention of cardiac dysfunction in mice with cardiomyocyte-specific hepcidin deletion, demonstrating that cardiomyocyte iron deficiency is associated with the cardiac phenotype.”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
An essential cell-autonomous role for hepcidin in cardiac iron homeostasis