title: Pentoxifylline does not alter the concentration of hepcidin in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing hemodialysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anemia is a frequent condition in patients with chronic kidney disease due to a reduction in the production of erythropoietin. Patients with inflammation respond less well to treatment with erythropoietin, possibly because the increased production of hepcidin reduces the availability of iron for hematopoiesis. Some studies suggest that pentoxifylline has anti-inflammatory properties and could be used as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of anemia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of pentoxifylline on serum hepcidin in chronic hemodialysis patients with inflammation.
  
  
  METHODS
  71 adult patients on hemodialysis with C-reactive protein (CRP) ≥0.5 mg/dl in screening tests; patients were randomized to the treatment group (oral pentoxifylline 400 mg/thrice-weekly) or the control group for 3 months follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study, a decrease in hemoglobin, transferrin saturation, and hepcidin was observed in both groups. However, these reductions were related to the time and not to the drug. There was no difference in the concentrations of CRP, ferritin, and albumin over time in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of this amount of pentoxifylline did not modify the serum levels of hepcidin in this population.
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Nephrology, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo - Brazil.
authors.forename: Sandra A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Antunes
authors.forename: Rosana Q
authors.initials: RQ
authors.lastname: Vilela
authors.forename: José D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Vaz
authors.forename: Maria Eugênia F
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Canziani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D064451:Hepcidins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006454:Hemoglobins; D064451:Hepcidins; D005293:Ferritins; D010431:Pentoxifylline