Backgrounds: Hepcidin is related to the pathogenesis of chronic renal failure anemia, which is considered a chronic inflammatory state as well as HCV infection. IL-6 stimulates the release of hepcidin from the liver, suppresses intestinal iron uptake, and releases iron from internal stores. Method: To detect the association between IL-6 gene polymorphism and anemia markers, 80 hemodialysis (HD) patients [40 negative HCV HD patients and 40 positive HCV HD patients] were studied by routine chemistry and complete blood count, in addition to the assessment of serum hepcidin, iron parameters [serum iron and serum ferritin], and hepatitis C markers. IL-6 polymorphism -174G/C was determined by MS-PCR, while IL-6 polymorphisms -597G/A and -572 G/C were detected by PCR-SSP. Results: Hepcidin was non-significantly elevated in HCV-positive compared with HCV-negative hemodialysis patients. A statistically significant difference was detected between the negative and positive HCV HD patients in frequencies of IL-6 -174 G/C and -597 G/A (P≤ 0.01 and P≤ 0.001, respectively). On the other hand, a non-significant difference was reported between negative and positive HCV HD patients in the frequencies of IL-6 -572 G/C. Conclusions: Our study indicated that IL-6 -174 G/C and -597 G/A polymorphisms may play a role in HCV susceptibility in HD patients. Additional prospective studies on a larger population are needed to confirm our findings.

Background: Hepcidin, an acute phase reactant released from the liver, suppresses intestinal iron uptake and release from internal stores. It is related to pathogenesis of anemia of chronic illness including anemia of chronic renal failure which is considered a chronic inflammatory state as well as HCV infection. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate level of serum hepcidin and study the possible relations between serum hepcidin and markers of iron status in chronic hepatitis C Egyptian patients on regular hemodialysis. Results: Hepcidin was significantly elevated in hemodialysis patients than in control group [P < 0.01]. Levels of hemoglobin, hematocrit, ferritin, and iron were significantly elevated in HCV-positive hemodialysis patients than in HCV-negative hemodialysis patients [P < 0.001]. Hepcidin was non-significantly elevated in HCV-positive hemodialysis patients compared with HCV-negative hemodialysis patients. No significant correlations between hepcidin and any of the other studied parameters. Conclusion: Serum hepcidin is elevated in hemodialysis patients than in control group, whereas hepcidin level is non-significantly elevated in HCV-positive hemodialysis patients compared with HCV-negative hemodialysis patients.