title: Effects of recombinant human erythropoietin on platelet activation in acute myocardial infarction: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Erythropoietin mitigates myocardial damage and improves ventricular performance after experimental ischemic injury. This study assessed safety and efficacy markers relevant to the biological activity of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind trial to determine the effects of intravenous rHuEpo (200 U/kg daily for 3 consecutive days) on measures of platelet and endothelial cell activation, soluble Fas ligand, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) expression of angiogenesis signaling proteins in 44 subjects with acute MI treated with aspirin and clopidogrel after successful percutaneous coronary intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recombinant human erythropoietin did not alter bleeding time, platelet function assay closure time, von Willebrand factor levels, soluble P-selectin, or soluble Fas ligand levels when compared with placebo. By contrast, rHuEpo significantly increased expression of erythropoietin receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor Flt-1, and phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in PBMCs when compared with placebo (all Ps < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In acute MI patients treated with aspirin and clopidogrel, short-term administration of rHuEpo did not alter markers of platelet and endothelial cell activation associated with thrombosis, yet did increase expression of angiogenesis signaling proteins in PBMCs when compared with placebo. These data provide preliminary evidence of safety and biologic activity of rHuEpo at this dosing and support continued enrollment in ongoing efficacy trials.
authors: Department of Cardiology Fuwai Hospital Beijing, China.
authors: Yi-Da
authors: YD
authors: Tang
authors: Faisal
authors: F
authors: Hasan
authors: Frank J
authors: FJ
authors: Giordano
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Pfau
authors: Henry M
authors: HM
authors: Rinder
authors: Stuart D
authors: SD
authors: Katz
mesh_terms: D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin