Renin-angiotensin system stimulates erythropoietin secretion in chronic hemodialysis patients.

A series of observations suggests an interrelationship between the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and erythropoietin (EPO) secretion. To further evaluate the role of RAS in erythropoiesis of chronic hemodialysis patients, we studied two groups of such patients: Group A consisted of 16 patients (14 male and 2 female, 54.7±3.3 years old), who maintained a target hematocrit value of 0.30 (0.32±0.01), without recombinant human EP0 (rhEPO) supplementation. Group B consisted of 14 patients (7 male and 7 female, 50±5.3 years old), who required subcutaneous injections of rhEPO (90.8±10 IU.kg -1 .week -1 ), to maintain the same target hematocrit value of 0.30 (30±0.01)