[Plasma erythropoietin levels in patients with stabilized function of the transplanted kidney]

Plasma erythropoietin level was assessed in 96 kidney transplant patients with stabilized function of the graft 3 months up to 5 years after transplantation and in 16 healthy subjects. In kidney transplant patients on CyA or azathioprine respectively, plasma erythropoietin levels were significantly higher during the first three months after transplantation than in normals. Normalization of erythropoietin levels were observed 6 to 12 month after kidney transplantation. As compared with patients on CyA, in azathioprine treated patients plasma erythropoietin levels were significantly higher 12 to 60 months after transplantation. These elevated erythropoietin levels in azathioprine treated patients seem to be due also to factors other than higher prednisone dosage.