Preventive Effect of Different Dosage of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin on Anemia of Premature Infants

To assess the efficacy and the optimum dose of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) on the anemia of premature, 45 preterm infants with a gestational age of less than 35 weeks and birth weight of less 1 800 g were randomly assigned to treatment group 1 (n = 15, receiving subcutaneous rhEpo 150 U/kg·time), treatment group 2 (n = 15, receiving 250 U/kg·time), three times a week for 6 weeks, and control group (n = 15, no treatment was given). All preterm infants received supplements of vitamin E (20 IU) and iron (20 mg) each day. Our results showed that postnatal decline of hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) were lessened in the treatment groups, particularly in the group 2 and the differences were very significant (P<0. 0001 for all). Treated infants had significantly higher reticulocyte counts (Ret) (P<0. 000] for all), but there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups (P>0. 05). Serum iron dropped significantly in the treatment groups as compared with control group (P<0. 01 for all), but no dose-dependent relationship was observed in treated infants (P>0. 05). After treatment, serum levels of erythropoietin was higher in group 2 than those in group 1 and control group (P<0. 0001, P<0. 01 and P<0. 05, respectively). There was no significant difference between group 1 and control group (P>0. 05). No side effects related to rhEpo therapy were observed. Our study suggested that rhEpo therapy stimulates endogenous erythro-poiesis and enhances Ret, Hct and level of Hb in a dose-dependent manner in premature infants. The therapy is more efficient when given in higher dosages.

Efficacy and safety of recombinant human erythropoietin(Hema-Plus®)for management of anemia in Thai patients on peritoneal dialysis

BACKGROUND Hema-Plus,a recombinant human erythropoietin(rHuEPO)or epoetin alfa has shown effectiveness in correction of anemia in Thai population in clinical practice.This study was aimed to demonstrate efficacy and safety under the evidencebased approach.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rHuEPO(Hema-Plus)for treatment of anemia over 12 wk in Thai patients with Stage V chronic kidney disease(CKD)on peritoneal dialysis(PD).METHODS This study was an open-label,multi-center study to enroll 30 CKD patients identified to start PD with hemoglobin(Hb)less than 9.5 g/dL,serum ferritin more than 100 ng/mL,serum transferrin saturation more than or equal to 20%and who had not previously received epoetin.Patients with conditions that could increase the risk of adverse effects from study participation or interfere with study outcomes,were using concomitant androgens or had secondary hyperparathyroidism were excluded.All eligible patients started Hema-Plus by SC injection at 4000 IU once or twice weekly(week 0)and with follow-up at weeks 2,4,8,and 12.Dosage adjustment could be done to achieve Hb level of 11-12 g/dL.Primary end point was mean change in Hb level from baseline to end of treatment(week 12).Safety was assessed throughout the study.Quality of life(QoL)was assessed using KDQOL-36.RESULTS All 30 enrolled patients completed the study.Mean(standard deviation)Hb at baseline(week 0)to the end of 12 wk was significantly increased from 7.39(1.29)g/dL to 11.15(1.73)g/dL(paired t-test,P value<0.001).Overall change of Hb means from baseline over the other 4 visits was statistically significantly increased(repeated measure ANOVA,P value<0.001).Ten out of 39 adverse events(AEs)were serious.Two serious AEs were probably related to study medication by investigators’assessment.At week 12,the QoL scores in all domains were significantly increased from baseline.CONCLUSION Hema-Plus administered for 12 wk for treatment of anemia in patients on PD effectively increased Hb levels with acceptable safety profile.

Production and Characterization of Monoclonal Antibody Against Recombinant Human Erythropoietin

Objective To produce specific monoclonal antibody （mAb） against recombinant human erythropoietin （rHuEPO） for development of highly efficient methods for erythropoietin detection in biological fluids. Methods rHuEPO was covalently coupled with bovine serum albumin （BSA） and the conjugate was used to immunize mice to produce specific mAb against rHuEPO based on hybridoma technology. The obtained F3-mAb was characterized by enzyme-linked irmnunosorbent assay （ELISA）, SDS-PAGE and Western blot. Results The isotype of F3-mAb was found to be IgM with an affinity constant of 2.1x10s L/mol. The competitive ELISA using the obtained IgM showed a broader linear range and lower detection limit compared with previous work. Conclusions The modification of rHuEPO was proved to be successful in generating required specific mAb with high avidity to rHuEPO.

Effects of systemic domestic recombinant human erythropoietin on HIF-1α expression in the retina in a rabbit model of acute high intraocular pressure

Objective To observe the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in the retina of rabbits with acute high intraocular pressure and to investigate the mechanism of systemic domestic recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) protecting the retina from ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods First,control group and model group were established in rabbit eyes. The acute high intraocular pressure model was established by saline perfusion into anterior chamber,and then hypodermic injection of domestic rhEPO was made. HIF-1α protein in the retina was observed by immunohistochemical staining method on days 1,3,7 and 14 after retinal ischemia-reperfusion,respectively. Results No cells with HIF-1α positive expression were observed in the retina of the control group. Cells with HIF-1α positive expression in the model group outnumbered those in the control group (P<0.01). The resemblance pattern occurred in EPO group but its degree was slightly greater than that in the model group from day 3 after ischemia-reperfusion (P<0.05). Conclusion Domestic rhEPO can down-regulate the expression of HIF-1α in the retina with acute high intraocular pressure,which may be one of the mechanisms that rhEPO protects the retina from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Study of Immunoassay Methods for Recombinant Human Erythropoietin (rhEPO) Using Competitive ELISA

Two different immunoassay methods, competitive indirect enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (CI-ELISA) and amplificative competitive indirect ELISA (ACI-ELISA) using biotin-avidin complex system were studied to detect rhEPO. The linear ranges were 50-20000 ng/mL and 10-50000 ng/mL for CI-ELISA and ACI-ELISA, respectively. The low detection limits of CI-ELISA and ACI-ELISA were 62.8 ng/mL and 8.5 ng/mL, respectively.

Effects of rHu-EPO on Myocyte Apoptosis and Cardiac Function Following Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats

The mechanisms of rHu-EPO attenuating the apoptosis after myocardial infarction in rats were studied. Thirty-two rats were divided into three groups: sham operation group (Sham), acute myocardial infarction group (MI) and rHu-EPO-treated group (MI+EPO). Acute myocardial infarction model was made by ligating the anterior descending coronary artery. rHu-EPO was administered i.p. in MI+EPO group at the dose of 5 000 IU/kg body weight immediately after the ligation. Each rat in MI+EPO group received the same dose of rHu-EPO daily the next 6 days. On the 14th day all rats underwent hemodynamic measurements and then killed. The samples were examined with HE stain, immunohistochemistry technique (bcl-2, bax) and TUNEL dyeing. The results showed that hemodynamic function in MI+EPO group was much better than in MI group. The number of the cells positive for bax and TUNEL in MI+EPO group was less than that in MI group. The number of the cells positive for bcl-2 in MI+EPO group was more than that in MI group. These findings suggested that rHu-EPO could treat myocardial infarction by preventing apoptosis and attenuating post-infarction deterioration in hemodynamic function.

Clinical Observation on the Treatment of Male Neoplastic Anemia with Yixuesheng Capsule(益血生胶囊) Combined with Recombination Human Erythropoietin

Objective:To explore the efficacy and mechanism of Yixuesheng capsule(益血生胶囊,YXS) combined with recombination human erythropoietin(RHE) in treating male neoplastic anemia(NA).Methods: Sixty-five patients were randomized into two groups,the 33 patients in the treated group treated with a combined therapy of YXS and RHE,and the 32 in the control group treated with RHE alone,all for 12 weeks.Related clinical indexes,including hemoglobin(Hgb),red blood cell(RBC),hematocrit(HMC),testosterone(T),estradiol (E_2) an...

Darbepoetin alfa injection versus epoetin alfa injection for treating anemia of Chinese hemodialysis patients with chronic kidney failure:A randomized,open-label,parallel-group,non-inferiority Phase III trail

Background:Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein that mainly regulates erythropoiesis.In patients with chronic renal failure with anemia,darbepoetin alfa can stimulate erythropoiesis,correct anemia,and maintain hemoglobin levels.This study was designed to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of darbepoetin alfa injections as being not inferior to epoetin alfa injections(Recombinant Human Erythropoietin injection,rHuEPO)when maintaining hemoglobin(Hb)levels within the target range(10.0-12.0 g/dL)for the treatment of renal anemia.Methods:Ninety-five patients were enrolled in this study from April 15,2013 to April 10,2014 at 25 sites.In this study,patients(n=95)aged 18-70 years were randomized into a once per week intravenous darbepoetin alfa group(n=56)and a twice or three times per week intravenous epoetin alfa group(n=39)for 28 weeks,who had anemia with hemoglobin levels between 6 g/dL and 10 g/dL due to chronic kidney disease(CKD)and were undergoing hemodialysis or hemofiltration with ESA-naive(erythropoiesis stimulating agent-naive).The primary efficacy profile was the mean Hb level(the non-inferiority margin was-1.0 g/dL,week 21-28);the secondary efficacy profiles were the Hb increase rate(week 0-4),the target Hb achievement cumulative rate and time,the change trends of the Hb levels,and the target Hb maintenance ratio.Adverse events(AEs)were observed and compared,and the efficacy and safety were analyzed between the two treatment groups.Additionally,the frequencies of dose adjustments between the darbepoetin alfa and epoetin alfa groups were compared during the treatment period.SAS?software version 9.2 was used to perform all statistical analyses.Descriptive statistics were used for all efficacy,safety,and demographic variable analyses,including for the primary efficacy indicators.Results:The mean Hb level was 11.3 g/dL in the darbepoetin alfa group and 10.7 g/dL in the epoetin alfa group,respectively;the difference of the lower limits of the 95%confidence intervals(CI)between the two groups was 0.1 g/dL(>-1.0 g/dL),and non-inferiority was proven;the Hb levels started to increase in the first four weeks at a similar increase rate;no obvious differences were observed between the groups in the target Hb achievement cumulative rates,and the Hb levels as well as the target Hb level maintenance rate changed over time.The incidence of AEs was 62.5%in the darbepoetin alfa group and 76.9%in the epoetin alfa group.All the adverse events observed in the study were those commonly associated with hemodialysis.Conclusion:Darbepoetin alfa intravenously once per week can effectively increase Hb levels and maintain the target Hb levels well,which makes it not inferior to epoetin alfa intravenously twice or three times per week.Darbepoetin alfa shows an efficacy and safety comparable to epoetin alfa for the treatment of renal anemia.