Influence of the renin-angiotensin system stimulation on erythropoietin production in patients with various forms of arterial hypertension.

Recent studies suggest the existence of a relationship between the renin-angiotensin system and erythropoietin (EPO) secretion. It has been studied whether patients with various forms of arterial hypertension (essential, renal, renovascular, in the course of arteritis) differ with respect to EPO secretion and whether EPO serum levels are related to renin response induced by dietary sodium restriction to 10-20 mmol Na/24 h for 3 days and upright body position for 3 h. Patients with different forms of hypertension and normal renal excretory function and healthy subjects did not differ in hematocrit value, markers of iron metabolism, and EPO secretion except for patients with arteritis who had higher ferritin values. In these patients a positive correlation between EPO levels and hematocrit values suggests the existence of an altered regulation of EPO secretion. In essential hypertension a negative correlation found between changes in EPO and PRA levels in response to sodium restriction and upright body position may also reflect an altered regulation of both EPO and renin production.