Zonulin, Iron Status, and Anemia in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Are They Related?

Abstract Background In patients after kidney transplantation, anemia is relatively common and is associated with impaired kidney function, subclinical inflammatory state, and immunosuppressive treatment. Zonulin-prehaptoglobin-2, a newly discovered protein, is necessary for integrity of intracellular tight junctions in the gut. Taking into consideration iron metabolism, including its absorption in the gut, we designed a cross-sectional study to look for the possible interactions among zonulin, iron status, and anemia in kidney transplant recipients. Methods The study was performed on 72 stable kidney transplant recipients and 22 healthy volunteers. Zonulin, iron status, and inflammatory markers were assessed with the use of commercially available kits. Results Zonulin was significantly lower in kidney allograft recipients than in healthy volunteers ( P r  = −0.33; P r  = 0.24; P r  = 0.28; P r  = 0.32; P r  = −0.33; P r  = 0.26; P r  = −0.25; P Conclusions Zonulin, with its poorly defined function, does not seem to play a role in the anemia in kidney allograft recipients; however, it seems to be related to the absorption process in the gut.