Influence of erythropoietin treatment on function of the pituitary-adrenal axis and somatotropin secretion in hemodialyzed patients.

In five hemodialyzed patients the influence of erythropoietin (EPO) treatment for 3 months on function of the pituitary-adrenal feedback and STH secretion was studied. Results were compared with those obtained in 6 hemodialyzed patients (No-EPO group) showing a comparable Hb concentration and Hct value as patients in the EPO group post-treatment and in 15 healthy subjects. EPO treatment was followed by a significant (ACTH and STH) or moderate (cortisol) suppression of basal plasma levels of ACTH, STH and cortisol respectively, and by a significant reduction of the response of plasma concentrations of these hormones to insulin-induced hypoglycemia. As the response of plasma levels of ACTH, STH and cortisol respectively in patients of the EPO group post-treatment differed markedly from that of the No-EPO group with similar Hb and Hct values, it seems that the EPO-induced endocrine alterations are not, at least not exclusively, a consequence of the improvement of anemia. Results presented in this study suggest that EPO treatment influences directly or indirectly the function of endocrine organs.