title: Metabolic studies on erythropoietin (EP): II. The role of liver and kidney in the metabolism of Ep.
abstract: Half plasma disappearance time (HDT) of endogenous erythropoietin (Ep) was measured in single rats, using an in vitro assay system for EP. In rats treated with the hepatotoxic agent d-Galactosamine-HCl (GalN), a small but significant elevation of HDT was found as compared with control rats (164 and 105 min, respectively). In bilaterally nephrectomized rats mean HDT was significantly elevated: 266 min. Combination of nephrectomy and GalN treatment did not result in a significant further elongation of HDT (mean = 301 min). In experiments using isolated liver perfusion, rat livers (with and without GalN treatment) were shown to be unable to change perfusate Ep titre during 4 h of perfusion. It is concluded that hepatic degradation of Ep in rats is only minimal. The kidney however is important in the catabolism of Ep.
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005688:Galactosamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009392:Nephrectomy; D010477:Perfusion; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D004921:Erythropoietin; D005688:Galactosamine; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D005947:Glucose