When the body is low on iron, the heart makes more hepcidin, which might help protect the heart from damage during iron deficiency.
Scientific Claim
Cardiac hepcidin expression is upregulated in response to systemic iron deficiency, suggesting a potential protective role for the heart during iron deficiency.
Original Statement
“The upregulation of cardiac HAMP in mice fed an iron-deficient diet raises the possibility that it may be involved in protecting the heart in the setting of systemic iron deficiency.”
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 systemic iron deficiency and increased cardiac hepcidin expression, but cannot establish causation or protective role due to study design limitations. 'Suggesting a potential protective role' is appropriate as it describes a hypothesis based on observed association.
More Accurate Statement
“Cardiac hepcidin expression is associated with upregulation in response to systemic iron deficiency, suggesting a potential protective role for the heart during iron deficiency.”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
An essential cell-autonomous role for hepcidin in cardiac iron homeostasis