LIPID PROFILE IN HEMODIALYSIS-PATIENTS TREATED WITH RECOMBINANT-HUMAN-ERYTHROPOIETIN

Background. The long-term effect of recombinant human erythropoietin ( rhEPO) on the blood-lipid profile has not been well documented. The ai m of this study was to evaluate whether rhEPO therapy affects the lipi d 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 maintenan ce haemodialysis patients not treated with rhEPO were examined as cont rols. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerid es, apolipoproteins A(1) and B, and lipoprotein (a) rLp (a)] were asse ssed at baseline (without rhEPO), and 1 and 2 years after the beginnin g of treatment. Hb, Hct and ferritin were measured monthly, and Kt/v w as evaluated monthly and kept above 1.1. Results. During follow-up, in both groups, there was a significant increase in Apo A, and no signif icant changes in the other lipid parameters. In the treated group, Hb and Hct increased significantly after the fourth month of treatment. C onclusions, Erythropoietin therapy does not affect significantly the l evels of total cholesterol, EDL- and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, A po B and Lp (a) in maintenance hemodialysis patients.