Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on anterior pituitary function in patients on chronic hemodialysis.
In 7 patients with end stage renal failure, anterior pituitary function was tested by simultaneous application of maximally effective doses of the hypothalamic releasing peptides, corticotropin-releasing hormone, growth hormone-releasing hormone, thyrotropin-releasing hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and compared to 8 normal controls. In addition to the pituitary hormones, plasma cortisol, thyroxine and testosterone concentrations were measured. To test for possible effects of treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rhu-EPO), all patients with chronic renal failure were studied again after partial correction of anemia by treatment with erythropoietin. Before initiation of rhu-EPO treatment, plasma concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone were significantly elevated and the thyroid-stimulating hormone and prolactin responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone blunted when compared to normal controls. Treatment with rhu-EPO induced a significant increase in plasma ACTH and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations. All other pituitary functions remained unchanged. Thus, the general improvement in well-being, working capacity and sexual activity cannot be attributed to hormonal changes.
Watschinger
B
B
Department of Medicine II, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Clinical Endocrinology, Vienna, Austria.
Watzinger
U
U
Templ
H
H
Spona
J
J
Graf
H
H
Luger
A
A
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D007700:Kinetics; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013973:Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013007:Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone