[The effects of intrarenal infusion of recombinant human erythropoietin on renal hemodynamics and renal function in anesthesized rabbits].

To determine whether recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) has direct effect on mean arterial pressure or renal function, rHuEPO was infused intrarenally at a rate of 100 U min-1 for 30 min in anesthetized rabbits without renal failure. Intrarenal infusion of rHuEPO resulted in no change in mean arterial pressure, renal blood flow, or renal vascular resistance as compared with vehicle control. rHuEPO also produced no significant change in glomerular filtration rate, filtration fraction, or arterial hematocrit. However, urine volume, urinary excretion of sodium and potassium, and fractional sodium excretion were significantly reduced by intrarenal infusion of rHuEPO. These observations demonstrate that rHuEPO has no direct effects on mean arterial pressure or renal hemodynamics, whereas rHuEPO stimulates net tubular sodium reabsorption possibly by direct tubular action, and reduces urine volume and urinary excretion of sodium and potassium in anesthetized rabbits without renal failure.