THE INFLUENCE OF ERYTHROPOIETIN ON CYTOKINES IN HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS

In this study, the administration of erythropoietin to haemodialysis p atients revealed its immunomodulating properties. To dissociate the im munological effects of erythropoietin action from its haematological e ffects the patients in our study were administered recombinant human e rythropoietin (rhEpo) at the doses that would not affect erythropoiesi s. After baseline data had been obtained, six haemodialysis patients w ere given rhEpo (Eprex-Cilag) at the dose 7-10 U/kg bodyweight/s.c., t hree times a week, for 12 weeks. All patients maintained a stable haem oglobin concentration; no blood transfusions were required. Serum leve ls of tumour necrosis factor (TNF), IL-2 and IL-6 levels of the study patients and the four control patients, not receiving rhEpo, were moni tored every 2 weeks. The levels of IL-6 and TNF remained unchanged; ho wever, a low serum level of IL-2, recorded before therapy, increased g radually for 10 weeks until it reached the values observed in normal h ealthy humans (P<0.01). After that it dropped to the initial values. D uring the study the red blood cell numbers did not change. This study supports the thesis that erythropoietin administered to haemodialysis patients not only corrects anaemia but also independently modulates im munological response.