Recombinant human erythropoietin improves enzyme activity in erythrocytes of predialysis uremics

The influence of r-HuEPO on the activity of erythrocyte transketolase (ETKA), glutathione reductase (GSH) and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (EGPT) was determined by spectrophotometry. 150 IU/kg BW/week of r-HuEPO was given i.v. during 2 months to 12 predialyzed uremics (PDU). Twenty healthy volunteers (HV) served as controls. GSH and EGPT activity were expressed as a coefficient. ETKA in HV = 2.39 +/- 0.10 and PDU = 1.53 +/- 0.10 mumol/ml/min differed significantly (p < 0.001). GSH in HV = 1.20 +/- 0.09 and PDU = 1.25 +/- 0.07, EGPT in HV = 1.20 +/- 0.10 and PDU = 1.38 +/- 0.11 differed significantly (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). After 2 months of r-HuEPO treatment, ETKA, GSH and EGPT rose significantly (p < 0.01). Thus, r-HuEPO increases the activity of enzymes related with the content of vitamins B1, B2 and B6 in uremics.