estimation of erythropoietin levels in the blood serum and cystic fluid in patients with solitary renal cysts

ABSTRACT

Renal cysts are common among people older than 50 years. A hypothesis that erythropoietin may be produced in renal cysts as a defense mechanism to prevent anemia was put forwards, thus erythropoietin concentration in cystic fluid should be higher than the serum level. Our study aimed to explain this phenomenon. Levels of erythropoietin were estimated in serum and cystic fluid of 33 patients with renal cysts and were compared to results from 33 controls. Results showed a 35 times higher level of erythropoietin in cystic fluid compared to serum. Serum levels of erythropoietin from renal cyst patients were comparable to those from control group. Thus we concluded that there is no erythropoietin penetration from the cystic fluid into the blood serum; and the role of high erythropoietin concentration in renal cystic fluid is not clear yet