Renal Effects of Erythropoietin in Humans

Summary

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein produced mainly in the kidney. After its release to the bloodstream EPO binds to its receptor predominantly located within the bone marrow where erythropoiesis is stimulated. Recently, we have shown that recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO) down-regulates circulating levels of renin and aldosterone. Concomitant clearance studies revealed a decrease in proximal tubular reabsorption of sodium and water and a fall in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). These results for the first time demonstrate a link between EPO and renal function: By inhibiting proximal tubular reabsorption, which in turn results in rapid declines in GFR and renin/aldosterone levels, EPO may directly reduce the major oxygen consuming factor in the kidney. The expected result will be an increase of the oxygen tension in the environment of renal EPO producing cells, in this way initiating an appropriate signal for down-regulation of endogenous EPO synthesis when circulating levels of EPO are high. The aim of this project is to test this hypothesis by investigating the renal effects of rHuEPO in humans. In a double-blinded manner healthy subjects will be tested with placebo, or low-dose rHuEPO for two weeks, or high-dose rHuEPO for three days. Accurate sodium balance studies will be conducted together with renal clearance studies for measurements of renal plasma flow (131I-Hippuran clearance with renal venous sampling), GFR (51Cr-EDTA clearance) and the segmentel tubular handling of sodium and water (lithium clearance). EPO is the sole haematopoietic growth factor that is mainly produced in the kidneys and the project will provide new information about basic physiological issues regarding the association between renal function and the regulation of EPO synthesis.

Timeline

Start

2012-03

Primary completion

2013-08

Completion

2013-09

Publications

• Background Olsen NV, Aachmann-Andersen NJ, Oturai P, Munch-Andersen T, Borno A, Hulston C, Holstein-Rathlou NH, Robach P, Lundby C. Erythropoietin down-regulates proximal renal tubular reabsorption and causes a fall in glomerular filtration rate in humans. J Physiol. 2011 Mar 15;589(Pt 6):1273-81. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2010.194241. Epub 2010 Aug 19.
• Background Lundby C, Olsen NV. Effects of recombinant human erythropoietin in normal humans. J Physiol. 2011 Mar 15;589(Pt 6):1265-71. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2010.195917. Epub 2010 Aug 31.
• Background Holstein-Rathlou NH. A closed-loop analysis of the tubuloglomerular feedback mechanism. Am J Physiol. 1991 Nov;261(5 Pt 2):F880-9. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.1991.261.5.F880.
• Background Jelkmann W. Erythropoietin: structure, control of production, and function. Physiol Rev. 1992 Apr;72(2):449-89. doi: 10.1152/physrev.1992.72.2.449. No abstract available.
• Background Hutchings M, Hesse B, Gronvall J, Olsen NV. Renal 131I-hippuran extraction in man: effects of dopamine. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2002 Dec;54(6):675-7. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2125.2002.t01-5-01689.x.
• Background Krapf R, Hulter HN. Arterial hypertension induced by erythropoietin and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA). Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009 Feb;4(2):470-80. doi: 10.2215/CJN.05040908.
• Background Rasmussen P, Foged EM, Krogh-Madsen R, Nielsen J, Nielsen TR, Olsen NV, Petersen NC, Sorensen TA, Secher NH, Lundby C. Effects of erythropoietin administration on cerebral metabolism and exercise capacity in men. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2010 Aug;109(2):476-83. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00234.2010. Epub 2010 Jun 3.
• Background Kristensen PL, Hoi-Hansen T, Olsen NV, Pedersen-Bjergaard U, Thorsteinsson B. Erythropoietin during hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes: relation to basal renin-angiotensin system activity and cognitive function. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2009 Jul;85(1):75-84. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2009.01.008. Epub 2009 Feb 10.

Drugs

Indications

No indication recorded.