Serum transferrin receptors in the evaluation of the iron status in chronic haemodialysis patients

ABSTRACT

Most patients with chronic renal failure [CRF] undergoing renal replacement therapy require life-long treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin [r-HUEPO] to stimulate erythropoietin and reverse anemia at least partially. The aim of the present study was to evaluate erythropoiesis in patients with CRF and the role of soluble transferring receptor as a Ferro kinetic measure of iron status in those patients. Twenty CRF patients under regular haemodialysis [HD], twenty CRF patients under regular HD and under treatment with r-HUEPO and twenty healthy controls were studied. Serum soluble transferring receptors [STFR] were measured by ELISA immunoassay method as an estimate of erythropoietin activity using two different monoclonal antibodies specific for STFR. In addition, R.B. Cs count, Hb level, R.B. Cs indices, ferrokinetic studies [serum iron, serum ferritin, total iron binding capacity [TIBC], transferrin saturation], adequacy of dialysis [KT/ V], kidney function tests, Na+ and K+. The study showed a significant increase in STFR in CRF patients in comparison to control, but it was significantly higher in CRF haemodialyzed patients non receiving r-HUEPO. Evidence of functional iron deficiency was found in 100% of our patients by estimation of STFR and normal or even high serum iron and serum ferritin levels. Improvement of iron mobilization and metabolism in haemodialyzed patients under treatment With r-HUEPO was evidenced by the significant difference in STFR on comparing non-treated to treated group and also evidenced by significant higher levels of haemoglobin and RBCS count in treated group compared to non-treated one