Lipid profile in haemodialysis patients treated with recombinant human erythropoietin.

Background. The long-term effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) on the blood-lipid profile has not been well documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether rhEPO therapy affects the lipid pattern. Methods. A group of 102 maintenance haemodialysis patients were treated for 2 years with rhEPO given intravenously at the end of the dialysis session. Attempts were made to keep the haemoglobin (Hb) at 10-11 g/dl and/or the haematocrit (Hct) at 30 35%. Twenty maintenance haemodialysis patients not treated with rhEPO were examined as controls. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A 1 and B, and lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] were assessed at baseline (without rhEPO), and I and 2 years aftcr the beginning of treatment. Hb, Hct and ferritin were measured monthly, and Kt/v was evaluated monthly and kept above 1.1. Results. During follow-up, in both groups, there was a significant increase in Apo A 1 and no significant changes in the other lipid parameters. In the treated group, Hb and Hct incrcased significantly after the fourth month of treatment. Conclusions. Erythropoietin therapy does not affect significantly the levels of total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, Apo B and Lp (a) in maintenance hemodialysis patients.