Iron-mediated regulation of liver hepcidin expression in rats and mice is abolished by alcohol

Abstract

Alcohol abolishes the iron-induced up-regulation of both liver hepcidin transcription and the DNA-binding activity of C/EBP alpha. Of note, hepcidin protects the body from the harmful effects of iron overload. Our findings therefore suggest that alcohol negates the protective effect of hepcidin, which may have implications for the liver injury observed in alcoholic liver disease and genetic hemochromatosis in combination with alcohol.