HAMP and anemia: 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).