Research has shown that hepcidin mostly expressed by the hepatocytes is stimulated by iron overload (mediated through the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling pathway) and inflammation (by interleukin 6 (IL-6) and other cytokines through the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signalling pathway), whereas erythropoietic activity, anaemia or hypoxia suppress its synthesis [15,16]. This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and anemia.