Erythropoietin accelerates tumor growth through increase of erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) as well as by the stimulation of angiogenesis in DLD-1 and Ht-29 xenografts.

Anemia is a relatively common symptom coexisting with colorectal carcinoma. Besides having a positive impact on hematological parameters, erythropoietin (Epo) has the serious adverse effect of promoting the neoplastic process. The role of Epo in colon cancer has not been clearly shown. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Epo therapy on colorectal carcinoma cells both in in vitro and in animal models. Human colon adenocarcinoma cells DLD-1 and Ht-29 were cultured in medium with Epo beta in normoxia. Cell proliferation was measured with an automated cell counter. Expression of erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) mRNA, Akt mRNA, and their proteins were assessed by RT-PCR and confocal microscopy, respectively. Nude mice were inoculated with adenocarcinoma cells and treated with a therapeutic dose of Epo. Expression of EpoR, VEGF, Flt-1 and CD31 was evaluated in xenograft tumors. We identified that Epo through EpoR activates Akt, which promotes colon cancer cell growth and proliferation. Epo, and high levels of phosphorylated EpoR, directly accelerates tumor growth through its proliferative and proangiogenic effects. This study demonstrated that Epo had enhanced carcinogenesis through increase of EpoR and Flt-1 expression, and thereby contributed to tumor development. These results suggest that both EpoR-positive and EpoR-negative cancer cells could be regulated by exogenous Epo. However, an increased response to erythropoietin was observed in the EpoR-positive cells. Thus, erythropoietin increases the risk of tumor progression in colon cancer and should not be used to treat anemia in this type of cancer.

Angiotensin-(1-9) enhances stasis-induced venous thrombosis in the rat because of the impairment of fibrinolysis.

INTRODUCTION: ACE2 alternatively converts angiotensin (Ang) II into Ang-(1-7) and Ang I into Ang-(1-9). There is little information in the literature with respect to Ang-(1-9) properties. A number of studies show a link between peptides of the renin-angiotensin system and thrombosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have investigated the influence of Ang-(1-9) on stasis-induced venous thrombosis in the rat. The contribution of coagulation and fibrinolytic systems, angiotensin receptor type 1 (AT1) and MAS receptor in the mode of Ang-(1-9) action was also determined. RESULTS: Ang-(1-9) enhanced thrombosis development, decreased plasma concentration of tissue plasminogen activator and increased the level of its inhibitor (PAI-1). The action of Ang-(1-9) was reversed by selective antagonist of AT1 receptor, but not Ang-(1-7) antagonist. Ang-(1-9) did not bind to the AT1 receptor. CONCLUSIONS: Ang-(1-9) enhances venous thrombosis in the rat because of the impairment of fibrinolysis. The prothrombotic effect of Ang-(1-9) is mediated by Ang II acting via the AT1 receptor.