Importantly, although IL-6 levels, a positive regulator of hepcidin, were increased after MR16-1 treatment, hepcidin levels were significantly decreased with MR16-1 treatment (Fig. 3a); therefore, it is suggested that the improvement of iron-deficiency status might be the main mechanism of the alleviation of anemia by MR16-1 treatment. This evidence concerns the gene HAMP and anemia (phenotype).