Effects of intravenous administration of recombinant human erythropoietin in rats subject to hemorrhagic shock.

The effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on survival and blood pressure in hypovolemic hemorrhagic shock in rats have been studied by intravenous administration. The hormone caused an increase in the time of survival compared to the group of rats without treatment (102 +/- 4.5 vs. 25 +/- 4.5 min, p < 0.01, vehicle; 102 +/- 4.5 vs. 25 +/- 2 min, p < 0.01, saline solution) and an increase in the percentage of the surviving animals (5/7 after 120 min vs. 0/7, p < 0.05). The animals treated showed an increase in mean arterial pressure that was not present in the control group. Through their data, the authors suggest the vasopressor effect of erythropoietin. Furthermore, from other studies done before, they hypothesize that the vasoactive ability of the hormone is endothelin mediated.