Recombinant human erythropoietin therapy has beneffical cardio-renal effects on moderate stages of chronic renal failure in the rat

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the cardio-renal effects of rhEPO therapy on an animal model of moderate chronic renal failure (CRF). Four groups (n =7) of male rat were evaluated during a 12-week follow up period: control; rhEPO: 50 IU/Kg/wk; CRF: two-stage 3/, nephrectomy; CRF+ rhEPO (start after the 3'd wk of surgery). Renal function, haematology and serum inflammation and redox status were assessed. rhEPO treatment was able to partially attenuate renal function markers, totally correct anaemia, also showing a proliferative and antioxidant action, due to increased serum TGF-13I and decreased 3-NT. In conclusion, rhEPO therapy might be recommended in moderate CRF stages in order to efficiently correct not only the underlying anaemia but also the deleterious cardio-renal effects, due to a proliferative and antioxidant renoprotective action.