Background: Hepcidin, a peptide hormone composed of 25 amino acids. Hepcidin is synthesized mainly in the liver. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common during pregnancy and is associated with higher maternal morbidity and mortality in Gaza strip. Understanding of hepcidin hormone and its role in iron metabolism could lead to a new sensitive indicator for earlier detection of cases with IDA. Objective: To assess hepcidin status among IDA pregnant women and its relationship with some biochemical variables in Gaza strip. Materials and methods: A case control study comprised 45 IDA pregnant women and 45 apparently healthy pregnant women. Questionnaire interviews were applied among the study population. Serum hepcidin and ferritin were measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) were determined photometrically. Complete blood count (CBC) was also performed. Transferrin and transferrin saturation were calculated. An approval was obtained from Helsinki committee and ministry of health to conduct this study. Overall data were computer analyzed using SPSS (Ver. 18). Results: The mean levels of serum hepcidin, iron, transferrin saturation, and ferritin in cases were significantly lower compared to those of controls (2.6±4 ng/ml, 63.2±25.3 µg/dl, 15.6±8.0% and 8.0±9.7 ng/ml versus 7.5±7.3 ng/ml, 77.7±22.9 µg/dl, 23.5±8.0% and 15.4±14.3 ng/ml respectively with P=0.000). The Pearson correlation test showed that positive significant correlations between hepcidin levels and serum iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation (P<0.001). On the other hand, negative significant correlations were showed with TIBC and transferrin (P<0.001). Conclusions: Serum hepcidin level has a relationship with anemia among pregnant women. Therefore, monitoring of hepcidin levels can play an important role in management of anemia among pregnant women.

Osteoporosis is a common disease in old ages, trace minerals are central components of bone density and hardness. The present study aims to measure copper, magnesium, iron, calcium and phosphorus levels in osteoporotic southern Gaza patients and control groups. A case-control study included 35 osteoporotic patients and 35 controls aged 40-70 years. Copper, magnesium iron, calcium and phosphorus levels were measured in the serum at Palestinian Medical Relieve Society-Gaza by absorption spectrophotometry method-XLFS Kit (Diasys Diagnostic System GmbH). Serum copper and magnesium levels in osteoporotic patients (74.3±9.8μg/dL 1.56±0.18mg/dl) respectively is significantly (p<0.001) lower than control (98.3±15.2μg/dL, 2.06±0.13mg/dl). The present work indicated a positive correlation between copper and magnesium levels (r=0.627, p<0.00), positive correlation between copper and number of daily meals (r=0.263, p<0.030), and also positive correlation between calcium and daily exercises (r=0.449, p<0.010). In conclusion copper and magnesium levels are significantly lower in postmenopausal women and men with osteoporosis. Optimizing levels of those trace minerals in old people is beneficial in prevention of osteoporosis. Daily exercises and ingestion of food containing trace minerals is highly recommended for this age group.