EPO but not hypoxia inhibits hepcidin induction through the iron-sensing pathway. (A) Hepcidin mRNA levels in the liver of mice treated with saline (CTL), EPO, LPS, carbonyl iron–supplemented diet (2.5% CI), and mice with combined treatments (EPO + CI). (B) Hepcidin mRNA levels in the liver of mice treated with saline (CTL), mice subjected to 10% oxygen (Hpx), 2.5% CI, and mice with combined treatments (Hpx + CI). Hepatic hepcidin expression was quantified by real-time RT-PCR and normalized to β-actin. The hepcidin/β-actin ratios are shown, each symbol representing one mouse. Statistical analysis was performed by 1-way ANOVA; **P < .001 for comparison with control mice. n.s. indicates not significant.