Collectively, these experimental observations have two important implications: first, liver Hamp expression and serum ferritin levels were unaffected by DSS treatment, indicating a lack of systemic inflammation (since both are acute-phase reactants that increase during infection and inflammation); and second, increased erythropoietic demand associated with anemia, and depletion of serum iron and splenic iron stores that occurred during acute colitis, did not suppress hepatic Hamp expression (as anticipated). This evidence concerns the gene HAMP and anemia (phenotype).