Hepcidin was found in 2000 and identified as a new mediator of non-specific immunity and iron-regulatory hormone. This highly conserved peptide with molecular weight of 2.000 and 25 aminoacids is produced by hepatocytes and in lesser extend by heart and pancreas. The mechanisms of synthesis control are typical for acute phase proteins of the 2nd type with dominant stimulatory role of interleukin-6. Beside inflammatory stimuli both production and function of hepcidin depend on metabolism of iron. Iron overload stimulates a production of hepcidin. Via negative feedback, hepcidin inhibits gastrointestinal absorption of iron, release of iron from macrophages and transport of iron across placenta. Mechanism of hepcidin influence on iron metabolism is not clear, yet. However, recent studies showed an important role of hepcidin in pathogenesis of anemia of chronic inflammatory diseases and hereditary hemochromatosis with perspective application of hepcidin in therapy of these disorders.

        Key words: hepatocyte, hepcidin, hereditary hemochromatosis, interleukin-6, acute phase proteins.