Influence of long-term erythropoietin therapy on endocrine abnormalities in haemodialyzed patients.

Endocrine abnormalities in patients with chronic renal failure are well documented. The present study aimed to assess the influence of long-term erythropoietin (EPO) therapy on endocrine abnormalities in haemodialyzed patients. Two groups of haemodialyzed patients, each of which comprised 17 subjects, were examined. The first one treated by EPO (EPO group) while the second one did not receive this hormone (NO-EPO group). A complete biochemical and hormonal check-up was performed before and at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of the study period. Normal values for the estimated parameters were obtained in appropriately selected sex and age-matched healthy subjects. After EPO therapy an increase of the haematocrit value from 21.8 +/- 0.9% to 32.6 +/- 0.9% was observed which was accompanied by a significant decline of plasma ferritin and saturation of transferrin. In patients of the NO-EPO group a significant although less marked rise of the haematocrit value (21.4 +/- 0.4% to 24.2 +/- 0.6%) was also noticed. EPO therapy did not change electrolytes (Na, K, Ca, inorganic phosphate), osteocalcin, creatinine, glucose and alkaline phosphatase plasma levels as well as plasma concentrations of calcium related hormones (PTH, calcitonin, 1.25(OH)2D3) and vasopressin (AVP). EPO treatment induced a significant decline of somatotropin (HGH), prolactin (PRO), follitropin (FSH), lutropin (LH), ACTH, cortisol, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, insulin (IRI), glucagon (IR-G), pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and gastrin plasma levels and an increase of plasma estradiol, testosterone and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). These EPO induced endocrine alterations were restricted mostly to the first 6 months of EPO administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)