title: Influence of erythropoietin treatment on function of the pituitary-adrenal axis and somatotropin secretion in hemodialyzed patients.
abstract: In five hemodialyzed patients the influence of erythropoietin (EPO) treatment for 3 months on function of the pituitary-adrenal feedback and STH secretion was studied. Results were compared with those obtained in 6 hemodialyzed patients (No-EPO group) showing a comparable Hb concentration and Hct value as patients in the EPO group post-treatment and in 15 healthy subjects. EPO treatment was followed by a significant (ACTH and STH) or moderate (cortisol) suppression of basal plasma levels of ACTH, STH and cortisol respectively, and by a significant reduction of the response of plasma concentrations of these hormones to insulin-induced hypoglycemia. As the response of plasma levels of ACTH, STH and cortisol respectively in patients of the EPO group post-treatment differed markedly from that of the No-EPO group with similar Hb and Hct values, it seems that the EPO-induced endocrine alterations are not, at least not exclusively, a consequence of the improvement of anemia. Results presented in this study suggest that EPO treatment influences directly or indirectly the function of endocrine organs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Silesian School of Medicine, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kokot
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiecek
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Grzeszczak
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klin
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D006435:Renal Dialysis
chemical_list: D004921:Erythropoietin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone