Human and experimental animals in space develop the anemia of space flight (Tavassoli, M., 1982; Udden et al., 1995). Studies have shown that erythropoietin (Epo) is implicated in this microgravity-induced abnormality (Udden et al., 1995). The status of the Epo receptor (EpoR) in microgravity, however, is unknown. The Rotary Cell Culture System (RCCS), based on NASA rotating wall vessel (RWV) t...

BACKGROUND Erythropoietin (EPO) provides an alternative to transfusion for increasing red blood cell mass and treating anemia in cancer patients. However, recent studies have reported increased adverse events and/or reduced survival in patients receiving both EPO and chemotherapy, potentially related to EPO-induced cancer progression. Additional preclinical studies that elucidate the possible m...

To investigate the potential role of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) in patients receiving intensive cytotoxic therapy, we measured the endogenous levels of Epo in 31 patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Seventeen patients underwent allogeneic BMT and 14 underwent autologous BMT. On average, 10 +/- 4 units of red blood cells (RBCs) were transfused per patient. The mea...

Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) from different manufacturers was analysed by non-reducing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and by immunodetection with a specific antiEPO antiserum, revealing a single broad diffuse band in the molecular weight range 30 40 kDa. The isoform compositions revealed by isoelectric focusing (IEF) after immunoblotting and lectin blotting showed extensive hete...

Homozygous 8 thalassemic mice received 50 U (1,660 U/kg) of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) 5 days a week for 2 weeks. Hemoglobin increased from 9.2 2 0.6 g/dL to 10.5 f 0.4 g/dL (P = .002) and hematocrit increased from 29.2% f 0.9% to 34.1% f 1.9% (P = .0014). The p minor/a globin chain synthesis ratio increased slightly but significantly between day -4 (0.75 f 0.07) and day 4 (0.81 f...

BACKGROUND A major cause of mortality in hemodialysis patients is cardiac disease. Most complementary and alternative therapies, including Chinese herbal medicine, have been useful in the treatment of cardiac disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 46 year old Asian woman with chronic renal failure was admitted to the clinic for hemodialysis. In the course of the fifth session of standard dialysis...