Enhanced metabolic effect of erythropoietin and keto acids in CRF patients on low-protein diet: Czech multicenter study.
BACKGROUND
Our study is designed to establish whether supplementation with erythropoietin (EPO) exerts additional beneficial metabolic effects in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) treated with keto acids (KAs) on a low-protein diet (LPD).


METHODS
A long-term, prospective, randomized study was designed to use three therapeutic protocols: (A) EPO plus KAs plus LPD (group I), (B) EPO plus LPD (group II), and (C) LPD (group III). One hundred eighty-six randomly selected patients (90 men, 96 women; age, 22 to 78 years) with a creatinine clearance of 22 to 36 mL/min were monitored at the beginning and at every 6 months for 3 years.


RESULTS
During the study period, glomerular filtration rate measured as inulin clearance decreased slightly (from 26.2 +/- 3.4 to 23.4 +/- 4.1 mL/min in group I), 27.4 +/- 4.8 to 20.2 +/- 4.4 mL/min in group II, and 26.8 +/- 3.6 to 17.4 +/- 4.1 mL/min in group III; P < 0.01). Serum urea levels also declined (P < 0.01), more pronouncedly in group I (P < 0.025). In group I, there was a significant increase in levels of leucine (P < 0.01) and albumin (P < 0.01) and a decrease in proteinuria (P < 0.01). Analysis of the lipid spectrum showed a mild, yet significant, decrease in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P < 0.025), more pronounced in group I. In group I, there was a decrease in plasma triglyceride levels (from 362.85 +/- 115.05 mg/dL [4.1 +/- 1.3 mmol/L] to values as low as 203.55 +/- 70.80 mg/dL [2.3 +/- 0.8 mmol/L]; P < 0.01), whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased (from 34.75 +/- 7.72 mg/dL [0.9 +/- 0.2 mmol/L] to 46.33 +/- 7.72 mg/dL [1.2 +/- 0.2 mmol/L]; P < 0.025). Mean arterial blood pressure was stable.


CONCLUSIONS
EPO supplementation in patients with CRF administered KAs potentiates the beneficial effects on metabolism of proteins, amino acids, and lipids. Long-term coadministration of EPO, KA, and LPD was associated with a delay in progression of renal failure and reduction in proteinuria.
Teplan
Vladimír
V
Department of Nephrology, Transplant Center, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic. vladimir.teplan@medicon.cz
Schück
Otto
O
Knotek
Antonín
A
Hajný
Jan
J
Horácková
Miroslava
M
Kvapil
Milan
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018153:Czech Republic; D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted / Q000379:methods*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007651:Keto Acids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D001798:Blood Proteins; D007651:Keto Acids; D008055:Lipids; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin