CYTOKINE-MEDIATED INHIBITION OF ERYTHROPOIETIN SYNTHESIS BY DEXAMETHASONE

The effect of inflammatory cytokines on the in-vitro synthesis of eryt hropoietin by HepG2 cells was evaluated. Monocyte-conditioned medium, and the cytokines interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosi s factor-alpha all reduced synthesis of erythropoietin. The steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, dexamethasone, did not affect cytokine-mediate d erythropoietin inhibition. Dexamethasone did cause a reduction in th e secretion of erythropoietin inhibitory cytokines from monocytes. The se results point to a possible therapeutic approach in the treatment o f anaemia caused by suppression of erythropoietin synthesis by monocyt ic cytokines.