
Hepcidin, a small peptide hormone produced mainly by the liver, plays a central role in iron status regulation in humans and other mammals. Thirty six male albino rats were classified randomly into equally six groups (G). The obtained results revealed that low (17.5) and high (35) mg/kg b.w. DZN dose (G2 and G3, respectively) administration for 28 days significantly increased the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) and hepcidin, decreased erythropoietin and significantly decreased hemoglobin concentration, red blood cells counts, serum iron and its related parameters in comparison to untreated healthy control G1. Moreover, the groups co-administrated with curcumin (CUR) mixed with diet for 28 days (G5 and G6) revealed improvement of these parameters in comparison to those of corresponding groups. Thus it was concluded that subacute toxicity of DZN induces alteration in some immunological and hematological parameters which in turn cause alteration in hepcidin and CUR administration had a protective effect against these adverse effects of DZN.