1.
Epoetin enhances erythropoiesis in normal men undergoing repeated phlebotomies
Abraham PA, Halstenson CE, Macres MM, Opsahl JA, Rank BH, Schwenk MH, Lasky LC, Cohen A, Lasseter KC, Smith DL,, et al
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 1992;52((2):):205-13.
Abstract
Epoetin may enhance autologous blood donation, but efficacy and dose response have not been established. This multicenter, double-blind trial compared intravenous placebo (n = 23) with epoetin beta, 250 U/kg (n = 23), 500 U/kg (n = 19), and 1000 U/kg (n = 22), administered three times weekly for 26 days. Normal men (age, 28 +/- 7 years; mean +/- SD) received phlebotomies up to three times weekly as long as the hemoglobin remained greater than or equal to 12 gm/dl. Subjects treated with epoetin donated 32% more units of blood (p less than 0.05) compared with placebo. A dose response was not observed. Platelet counts increased with epoetin compared with placebo, but platelet function and bleeding time did not change. Prothrombin times increased and partial thromboplastin times decreased with both epoetin and placebo. The supernatant of packed red blood cells collected after multiple phlebotomies and stored 42 days had slightly lower glucose concentrations and pH after therapy with epoetin. Blood pressure did not change with epoetin or placebo. These findings support the efficacy and safety of epoetin for enhancing the erythropoietic response of normal subjects during intensive phlebotomy.
2.
Renal function during erythropoietin therapy for anemia in predialysis chronic renal failure patients
Abraham PA, Opsahl JA, Rachael KM, Asinger R, Halstenson CE
American Journal of Nephrology. 1990;10((2):):128-36.
Abstract
Recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) therapy for anemia in chronic renal failure patients could have unfavorable renal effects since reversal of anemia can raise blood pressure and accelerate experimental glomerular injury. Thus, the effects of r-HuEPO on renal and systemic hemodynamics and the progression of renal disease were studied in predialysis chronic renal failure patients. The clearances of inulin and p-aminohippurate, fractional excretions of albumin and immunoglobulin G, cardiac output, plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentration were assessed at baseline, after short-term r-HuEPO (n = 4) or placebo (n = 4) therapy, and after long-term r-HuEPO for all patients (n = 8). In addition, the slope of l/serum creatinine with time was determined before and during continued r-HuEPO therapy. In contrast to placebo therapy, hematocrit increased with r-HuEPO from 32 to 37% after 7.6 +/- 2.7 weeks (mean +/- SD). Antihypertensive drug therapy was increased in 2 patients in each group. Renal function, cardiac output, plasma renin activity and aldosterone did not change significantly in either group. After 18 +/- 9 weeks of therapy for all patients, hematocrit increased from 31 to 39%. Antihypertensive drug therapy was increased in 5 patients and decreased in 1. Renal function decreased while proteinuria tended to increase. Cardiac output, plasma renin activity and aldosterone did not change. During 37 +/- 22 weeks of r-HuEPO therapy, the slope of l/serum creatinine did not worsen in any patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)