Study of the immune effects in hemodialysis patients receiving erythropoietin

ABSTRACT

Recombinant human erythropoietin [rHuEpo] [Clinical Pathology Department] may affect the human immune system. Partial correction of anemia by erythropoietin improves hemodialysis [HD]-[Immunology Department]. associated immunosuppression. It is not known whether hemoglobin normalization improves immune status further. All in Damanhour National Numerous studies have investigated the immune effects Medical Institute, of recombinant human erythropoietin [rHuEPO] used in the treatment of anemia of ESRD to hematocrits of 28 to 31%, showing improvement in cell-mediated and humoral immunity. The aim of the study In the present study, we compared prospectively the immune system parameters of hemodialysis [HD] patients who received rHuEPO and were randomized to normal hemoglobin versus anemic hemoglobin. The study protocol was approved in Damanhur National Medical Institute, and patients provided written informed consent. Each patient was followed for 12 months with serum sample obtained at 12 months. During the course of the study, the slope of CD8 cells increased significantly from baseline in the anemic group [P<0.0001], whereas there was no change in the normal hemoglobin group. Our study sought to determine whether the immune system of HD patients with normalized hemoglobin differed from that of HD patients with partially corrected anemia