The role of hepcidin in regulating iron homeostasis in selected diseases.

Iron is an element whose content in the human organism remains under strict control not only due to its involvement in many life processes but also because of its potential toxicity. The latest studies in iron metabolism, especially the involvement of hepcidin, which is the main regulator of iron homeostasis, broadened our knowledge in many medical fields (immunology, nephrology, hematology, gastrology). The present paper is a review of the literature devoted to the importance of hepcidin under selected conditions.