Effect of Age and Weight Loss on Inflammation and Iron Homeostasis

Obese individuals have chronic inflammation, higher risk of iron deficiency, and impaired immune response. These are conditions seen also with aging, but it is unknown to what extent they may be further impacted by obesity in the elderly. With this study the investigators aim to establish the mechanism by which weight loss may reduce inflammation and enhance iron status in young and older obese adults through the peptide hormone hepcidin, which regulates iron homeostasis. The investigators also aim to identify a possible link between iron homeostasis and immune response through hepcidin, which has been implicated in T cell mediated immunity. The investigators hypothesize that obesity-induced inflammation causes dysregulation of hepcidin expression leading to lower iron status through decreased iron absorption and availability in young and older adults. Furthermore, the investigators hypothesize that hepcidin dysregulation, and thus iron status can be mitigated with weight loss in both young and older obese adults. This hypothesis will be tested in obese young and older women undergoing weight loss through calorie restriction. Change in iron status, inflammation, and hepcidin will be determined before and after weight loss. Further, the impact of inflammatory environment of obesity on peripheral blood mononuclear cell hepcidin, ferroportin, intracellular iron, and T cell function in young and older adults will be determined. This study will address two important public health problems, i.e. obesity and iron deficiency and will be an important step toward the identification of strategies to enhance health of obese young and older adults.