We studied the influence of iron deficiency on initiation of liver regeneration and respiratory burst of PMN (RB). Wistar rats, control males (M) and females (F) had blood withdrawal in 9th week, experimental males (M-w) and females (F-w) had nine blood withdrawals. Rats were sacrificed in 10th week 18 h after 67% hepatectomy (PH), one h after 3H-thymidin application. We determined erythrocyte and leukocyte count, RB, serum hepcidin, estradiol, iron, iron binding capacity (TIBC) and liver iron stores. Liver DNA synthesis in M-w and F-w increased versus M and F (p = 0.05). Hepcidin after PH decreased in M, F (p = 0.001) and F-w (p = 0.05), but not in M-w. Blood withdrawals increased spontaneous RB (p < 0.05), stimulated RB only at females (p < 0.01). Stimulated RB was lower in M-w then in M (p < 0.01). Serum iron was lower in males than in females. Rats with withdrawals had higher iron and iron protein saturation then rats without withdrawals. TIBC decreased after PH (p < 0.001), less at M-w (p < 0.05). Iron stores in liver decreased in M, less in F. Females had higher and easier mobilized liver iron store. Hepcidin was not important at this point. We assumed that hepcidin protects PMN activity at M-w.

        Key words: liver regeneration; iron; respiratory burst; hepcidin; rat; sex; partial hepatectomy.