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NCT Number: NCT07517562

The Effects of Acute Erythropoietin on Hepcidin and Dietary Iron Absorption Following Military-relevant Exercise in Energy Deficit: Pilot Study

Military personnel frequently experience declines in iron status during training and when in the field, which may compromise performance. The overall purpose of this study is to determine why the decline in iron status occurs and potential countermeasures. Participants will be given an acute dose of erythropoietin (EPO) or placebo and will complete a 90-minute load carriage exercise test. Prior to the main trial, this pilot study will determine the optimal approach to assess iron absorption following exercise (red blood cell incorporation or plasma isotope appearance), the percentage of iron incorporated into red blood cells with EPO compared to placebo, and the timing of the intervention.

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Key information

Conditions

Iron Absorption Anemia Anemia, Hypochromic Anemia, Iron-Deficiency Behavior Hematologic Diseases Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases Iron Deficiencies Iron Metabolism Disorders Metabolic Diseases Motor Activity Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70808, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Males and premenopausal females ages 18-45 years
  • Physically active

Exclusion criteria

  • Low iron stores (ferritin <15 mg/mL)
  • Anemia (females: hemoglobin < 12 g/dL, males: hemoglobin < 13 g/dL)

Treatment and study plan

Exercise test

Other

90-minute load carriage exercise test on a treadmill

Primary outcomes

  1. Fractional iron absorption

    Time frame: 14 days post-exercise

    Iron absorption as measured by iron incorporation into red blood cells

  2. Plasma isotope appearance

    Time frame: 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 360 minutes post-exercise

    Plasma iron isotope appearance

  3. Red blood cell iron incorporation

    Time frame: 50 minutes infusion of a stable iron isotope following exercise

    The calculation to determine dietary iron absorption accounts for the fact that not all absorbed iron is incorporated into red blood cells. This can either be an assumed constant of 80% or experimentally determined by administering a second isotope intravenously. Pilot testing will be used to assess whether the investigators can use 80% or whether iron uptake by red blood cells is greater after EPO compared to placebo.

  4. Timing of intervention

    Time frame: 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 30 days following EPO

    Blood will be collected over time to ensure blood biomarkers return to baseline following EPO.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Pennington Biomedical Research Center

Other

Registry information

Acronym: IRON BOOST

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2026
First posted
Apr 8, 2026
Registry last updated
Apr 8, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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