Cooperative enhancement of F-cell formation in baboons treated with erythropoietin and hydroxyurea.
Chronically anemic baboons on a continuous hydroxyurea regimen were treated with pulsed doses of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) to test whether the combination of these two compounds, which individually induce F-cell production, can enhance further F-cell output. A low-F-cell-responding animal under chronic hydroxyurea treatment was given three separate pulses of Epo and responded with F-reticulocyte increments that were similar to the sum increments caused by either hydroxyurea alone or rHuEpo alone. The same results were obtained in a high-F-responding animal similarly treated. These findings suggest that rHuEpo and hydroxyurea can increase F cell numbers in an additive fashion. It is speculated that both compounds act through perturbation of erythroid differentiation kinetics.
Al-Khatti
A
A
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Papayannopoulou
T
T
Knitter
G
G
Fritsch
E F
EF
Stamatoyannopoulos
G
G
D000818:Animals; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010215:Papio; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012156:Reticulocytes / Q000187:drug effects*
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin; D006918:Hydroxyurea