[Erythropoietin: a new perspective in cardiovascular therapy].
Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidney, which regulates proliferation, differentiation and maturation of red cells. Recombinant human EPO (rH-EPO) is well known to correct anaemia in patients with chronic renal failure in terminal stage. However, recent studies showed the existence of several not haematopoietic effects of erythropoietin. EPO receptors have been found to be expressed in several tissues, included the cardiovascular system. An increase in cardiac systolic function has been observed in patients with chronic heart failure treated with EPO. Other beneficial effects appear to be related to the pro-angiogenic properties on endothelial cells and could be useful for treatment of ischemic heart disease. These findings suggest that EPO could provide potential therapeutic benefits in the management of cardiovascular diseases beyond anaemia correction. This review focuses its attention on the pleiotropic effects of EPO and its future promising applications in cardiovascular pathology.
Raddino
Riccardo
R
Sezione Malattie Cardiovascolari, Dipartimento Medicina Sperimentale Applicata, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Italy. riccardo.raddino@libero.it
Robba
Debora
D
Caretta
Giorgio
G
Bonadei
Ivano
I
Teli
Melissa
M
Zanini
Gregoriana
G
Madureri
Alberto
A
Vizzardi
Enrico
E
Dei Cas
Livio
L
D000740:Anemia / Q000503:physiopathology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D017467:Receptors, Erythropoietin / Q000378:metabolism; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D017467:Receptors, Erythropoietin; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin