Effect and mechanism of erythropoietin on amino acid in hemodialysis patients

Purpose: To investigate the effect and mechanism of erythropoietin on amino acid metabolism in hemodialysis patients. Methods: 30 maintenance hemodialysis patients who did not use erythropoietin (EPO) were divided into two groups averagely. The patients of two groups were given erythropoietin therapy or transfusion respectively. The concentrations of their hemoglobin, serum albumin and plasma amino acid were measured before and 4 weeks, 12 weeks after treatment. Results: The elevated levels of plasma serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, tyrosine, goutamine, cysteine, alamine and the decreased levels of plasma glycine, phenyalanine, proline were observed 12 weeks after treatment in the patients of two groups (P < 0.05). There was no difference between two group patients. Conclusions: The administration of EPO in hemodialysis patients can correct the plasma amino acid pattern toword normal by means of correction of anemia.