Erythropoietin in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Relationship between serum erythropoietin, blood hemoglobin and lung function--effect of the calcium antagonist isradipine on serum erythropoietin.
The relations between serum-erythropoietin (se-EPO), blood hemoglobin and lung function were investigated in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, the hypothesis was tested that se-EPO might increase after treatment with a calcium antagonist. In 18 patients with COPD, median se-EPO (19.2 mU ml-1) was in the low normal range. The correlations between se-EPO and blood hemoglobin (p = -0.63, p = 0.024) and between se-EPO and lung function indices were negative (n.s.) and the correlation between blood hemoglobin and lung function indices (n.s.) were positive. The hypothesis is proposed that the normal hemoglobin found in most patients with COPD is a result of a balance between a trend towards a decreased red cell mass, as found in chronic diseases, and a trend towards an increased red cell mass due to the erythropoietic effect of EPO. Se-EPO was not changed by the calcium antagonist, isradipine.
Graudal
N
N
Department of Pulmonary Medicine P, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Galløe
A M
AM
Nielsen
O J
OJ
D000368:Aged; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood*; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D017275:Isradipine; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D014797:Vital Capacity
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004095:Dihydropyridines; D006454:Hemoglobins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D017275:Isradipine