When mice lose hepcidin only in their heart cells, their overall body iron levels and storage remain normal, showing that heart hepcidin doesn't affect the body's overall iron balance.
Scientific Claim
Cardiomyocyte-specific hepcidin deletion does not affect systemic iron homeostasis, as evidenced by normal liver iron stores and circulating iron markers.
Original Statement
“Also consistent with this cardiac-specific deletion, Hampfl/fl;Myh6.Cre+ mice had normal levels of liver iron stores and circulating markers of iron homeostasis when compared to Hampfl/fl controls, demonstrating that loss of cardiac hepcidin did not affect systemic iron homeostasis.”
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 cardiomyocyte-specific hepcidin deletion and normal systemic iron markers, but cannot establish causation due to study design limitations. 'Does not affect' is too strong; 'is not associated with affecting' is more appropriate.
More Accurate Statement
“Cardiomyocyte-specific hepcidin deletion is associated with normal systemic iron homeostasis, as evidenced by normal liver iron stores and circulating iron markers.”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
An essential cell-autonomous role for hepcidin in cardiac iron homeostasis