EFFECT OF ERYTHROPOIETIN ON PARAMETERS OF SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CHRONIC-HEMODIALYSIS

The effect of erythropoietin (rHu‐EPO) on blood pressure and on parameters of sympathetic nervous activity of patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis treatment was evaluated in a controlled and randomized 6‐months study. Both groups did not differ significantly at the onset of the study in terms of dialysis protocol, haematological parameters, blood chemistry, weight, blood pressure and parameters of sympathetic nervous activity. Haemoglobin increased from 7.0 +/‐ 0.3 g dl‐1 to 10.0 +/‐ 0.3 g dl‐1 by 6 months on rHu‐EPO (n = 11) and remained constant in the control group (n = 11). After 6 months diastolic blood pressure was higher in the treatment group compared with the control group as well as compared with pretreatment values, whereas reactivity to exogenous noradrenaline and platelet alpha 2‐ adrenoceptor densities ([3H]‐yohimbine‐ and [3H]‐UK 14,304‐binding sites) were lower. Plasma noradrenaline concentration increased during rHu‐EPO compared with pretreatment values, while dry weights were unchanged during the study. The results demonstrate alterations of some parameters of sympathetic nervous activity during rHu‐EPO‐therapy which were absent in the control group. 1990 The British Pharmacological Society