Effects of Daprodustat on Iron Metabolism in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: An Exploratory Study

Introduction Renal anemia is a serious complication in patients with chronic kidney disease. Daprodustat, a hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor, represents a potential therapeutic option for renal anemia; however, its efficacy and safety in patients maintained on peritoneal dialysis remains unknown. This exploratory study aimed to evaluate the preliminary effects of daprodustat in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing maintenance peritoneal dialysis. Methods This single-center, prospective study included 11 patients undergoing maintenance peritoneal dialysis who shifted from darbepoetin alfa to daprodustat. Over a 24-week observation period, hematological parameters, iron metabolism markers, cardiac function, and oxidative stress indicators were monitored. Statistical significance was determined using repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Results Hepcidin-25 levels (p = 0.0004) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels (p = 0.0437) significantly decreased, while total iron-binding capacity (p = 0.0043) and reticulocyte counts (p = 0.0052) significantly increased. Despite these favorable biochemical changes, hemoglobin and hematocrit values showed no significant improvement. Other oxidative stress markers showed downward trends, while cardiac function parameters (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, cardiothoracic ratio, left ventricular ejection fraction) remained unchanged. Conclusion This pilot study suggests that daprodustat may enhance iron metabolism and mitigate oxidative stress while preserving cardiac function in peritoneal dialysis patients. The pronounced reduction in hepcidin-25 levels indicates potential beneficial effects on iron homeostasis. However, the absence of significant hemoglobin improvement, combined with the small sample size (n=11), lack of control group, and short 24-week follow-up period, significantly limits the clinical relevance and generalizability of these findings. Larger randomized controlled trials with longer follow-up periods are essential to definitively establish the efficacy and safety of daprodustat in this patient population.