Lipid profile in haemodialysis patients treated with recombinant human erythropoietin.

摘要

BACKGROUND: The long-term effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) on the blood-lipid profile has not been well documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether rhEPO therapy affects the lipid pattern. METHODS: A group of 102 maintenance haemodialysis patients were treated for 2 years with rhEPO given intravenously at the end of the dialysis session. Attempts were made to keep the haemoglobin (Hb) at 10-11 g/dl and/or the haematocrit (Hct) at 30-35%. Twenty maintenance haemodialysis patients not treated with rhEPO were examined as controls. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A1 and B, and lipoprotein (a)[Lp (a)] were assessed at baseline (without rhEPO), and 1 and 2 years after the beginning of treatment. Hb, Hct and ferritin were measured monthly, and Kt/v was evaluated monthly and kept above 1.1. RESULTS: During follow-up, in both groups, there was a significant increase in Apo A1 and no significant changes in the other lipid parameters. In the treated group, Hb and Hct increased significantly after the fourth month of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Erythropoietin therapy does not affect significantly the levels of total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, Apo B and Lp (a) in maintenance hemodialysis patients.