Serum erythropoietin and erythropoiesis in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.
Ineffective erythropoiesis is an early feature of the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), usually accompanying an hypercellular marrow. In a previous study, concentrations of serum erythropoietin (EPO) in MDS have been shown to correlate inversely both with haemoglobin concentration and with % bone marrow erythroblasts. We have measured erythroid production using a radioisotopic technique in 20 patients with MDS. Although haemoglobin concentration shows a weak inverse relationship with serum EPO concentration there is considerable variation in EPO concentration at a given haemoglobin level. There is no correlation between serum EPO and total erythroid production, though there is a weak correlation with effective erythropoiesis. The data suggests that control mechanisms of erythropoiesis in patients with MDS are complex.
Bowen
D T
DT
Department of Haematology, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, U.K.
Jacobs
A
A
Cotes
P M
PM
Lewis
T C
TC
D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D004900:Erythroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D004920:Erythropoiesis; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D006454:Hemoglobins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D007501:Iron