| Theme |
Evolution in Management of Renal Anemia |
| Title |
Renoprotective effects of erythropoietin |
| Author |
Imari Mimura |
Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, University of Tokyo, School of Medicine |
| Author |
Masaomi Nangaku |
Department of Nephrology and Endocrinology, University of Tokyo, School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
Erythropoietin (EPO) has recently been shown to have renoprotective effects both in basic science and clinical studies. In various disease models, administration of EPO to animals protected against ischemic acute renal injury. EPO inhibits apoptotic cell death, enhances tubular epithelial regeneration and promotes recovery of renal function in ischemic hypoxia with acute renal injury. EPO also ameliorates renal hypoxia through stimulation of angiogenesis in chronic renal injury. EPO increases inflammation and ischemia induced neovascularization by enhancing endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) mobilization from the bone marrow and vascular nitric oxide production by endothelial cells. In clinical studies, improvement of renal anemia by administration of EPO during earlier stage of chronic kidney diseases can inhibit the progression of renal failure and reduce renal death rates, especially in nondiabetic patients. |