title: Renal function during erythropoietin therapy for anemia in predialysis chronic renal failure patients.
abstract: Recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) therapy for anemia in chronic renal failure patients could have unfavorable renal effects since reversal of anemia can raise blood pressure and accelerate experimental glomerular injury. Thus, the effects of r-HuEPO on renal and systemic hemodynamics and the progression of renal disease were studied in predialysis chronic renal failure patients. The clearances of inulin and p-aminohippurate, fractional excretions of albumin and immunoglobulin G, cardiac output, plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentration were assessed at baseline, after short-term r-HuEPO (n = 4) or placebo (n = 4) therapy, and after long-term r-HuEPO for all patients (n = 8). In addition, the slope of l/serum creatinine with time was determined before and during continued r-HuEPO therapy. In contrast to placebo therapy, hematocrit increased with r-HuEPO from 32 to 37% after 7.6 +/- 2.7 weeks (mean +/- SD). Antihypertensive drug therapy was increased in 2 patients in each group. Renal function, cardiac output, plasma renin activity and aldosterone did not change significantly in either group. After 18 +/- 9 weeks of therapy for all patients, hematocrit increased from 31 to 39%. Antihypertensive drug therapy was increased in 5 patients and decreased in 1. Renal function decreased while proteinuria tended to increase. Cardiac output, plasma renin activity and aldosterone did not change. During 37 +/- 22 weeks of r-HuEPO therapy, the slope of l/serum creatinine did not worsen in any patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minn.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Opsahl
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rachael
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Asinger
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Halstenson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012079:Renal Circulation; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin