The effect of recombinant human erythropoietin(rHuEPO) on NK cell cytotoxicity in hemodialysis patients / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To evaluate the relationship between NK cytotoxicity and anemia in uremia. Methods The effect of rHuEPO on natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic activity was studied in 12 hemodialysis(HD) patients. Results The levels of hemoglobin (Hb) and NK cell activity were significantly lower in HID patients than that in healthy controls. After two months of the treatment with rHuEPO, the levels of Hb in these patients rose significantly with a parallel rise in NK cell activity. NK cell activity was not increased when they were incubated with rHuEOP but was increased with red blcxxl cells. Conclusion Improved NK cell cytotoxicity in HD patients after treatment with rHuEPO was achieved through the rise in R15C rather than through rHuEPO itself.