Interleukin-6 and Hepcidin Levels during Hormone-Deplete and Hormone-Replete Phases of an Oral Contraceptive Cycle: A Pilot Study

• Published in: Annals of nutrition and metabolism 2017-01, Vol.70 (2), p.100-105
• Main Authors: Sim, Marc, Dawson, Brian, Landers, Grant, Swinkels, Dorine W., Wiegerinck, Erwin, Yeap, Bu B., Trinder, Debbie, Peeling, Peter
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 17β-Estradiol; Adolescent; Adult; Birth control; Body Mass Index; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal - administration & dosage; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal - blood; Cytokines; Depletion; Dietary supplements; Estradiol - blood; Estrogens; Female; Ferritin; Ferritins - blood; Hepcidin; Hepcidins - blood; Hormones; Humans; Interleukin 6; Interleukin-6 - blood; Iron; Iron - blood; Menstrual cycle; Menstrual Cycle - drug effects; Menstruation; Metabolism; Original Paper; Phases; Pilot Projects; Progestins - blood; Sex hormones; Stores; Therapy; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0250-6807; 1421-9697
• DOI: 10.1159/000465530

Background: In the past, elevated estradiol levels were reported to downregulate the iron regulatory hormone hepcidin, thereby potentially improving iron metabolism. As estrogen plays a role in regulating the menstrual cycle and can influence the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6; a hepcidin up-regulator), this investigation examined the effects of estradiol supplementation achieved by the use of a monophasic oral contraceptive pill (OCP) on IL-6, hepcidin levels and iron status during the hormone-deplete versus hormone-replete phases within an oral contraceptive cycle (OCC). Methods: Fifteen healthy female OCP users were recruited and provided a venous blood sample on 2 separate mornings during a 28-day period. These included (a) days 2-4 of the OCC, representing a hormone-free withdrawal period (WD); (b) days 12-14 of the OCC, representing the end of the first week of active hormone therapy (AHT). Results: IL-6 and hepcidin levels were not significantly different at WD and AHT. Serum ferritin was significantly higher (p = 0.039) during AHT as compared to WD. Conclusions: Fluctuations in OCP hormones (estradiol and/or progestogen) had no effect on basal IL-6 and hepcidin levels in young women. Nevertheless, elevated ferritin levels recorded during AHT may indicate that OCP hormones can positively influence iron stores within an OCC despite unchanged hepcidin levels.