Erythropoietin

Question 1

What is erythropoietin?

Answer 1

Erythropoietin is a protein hormone produced by the kidney (renal cortex)
- controls the production of red blood cells in the body needed to carry oxygen to all parts of the body

Question 2

How are red blood cells stimulated?

Answer 2

Once Epo is released in the blood stream it binds with receptors in the bone marrow where it stimulates the production of Red blood cells
- In Chronic Kidney Disease; kidneys that are diseased or damaged do not make enough EPO causing severe anemia

Question 3

What are the stimuli for red blood cell production?

Answer 3

1. hypoxia due to decreased RBC count
2. decreased amount of haemoglobin
3. decreased availability of oxygen

Question 4

Describe the homeostasis mechanism that maintains normal blood oxygen levels?

Answer 4

1. stimuli reduce oxygen levels in blood
2. kidney (and liver to a smaller extent) release erythropoietin
3. erythropoietin stimulates red bone marrow
4. enhanced erythropoiesis increases RBC count
5. increases oxygen carrying ability of blood

Question 5

How long do RBCs circulate for?

Answer 5

100-120 days

Question 6

Where do neonates produce their EPO?

Answer 6

in the liver

Question 7

What can synthetic EPO be used for in the sporting world?

Answer 7

as the sport enhancement drug to improve an athlete’s aerobic capacity (VO2 max) and endurance

Question 8

How is synthetic EPO used as a sport enhancement drug?

Answer 8

• The athlete would “donate” a unit of blood into storage and then 3 weeks later, after the body had completely replaced the blood loss, transfuse the unit back into the body
• effectively giving the athlete an “extra” unit of blood.
• This enables performance improvements in endurance sports because of the extra oxygen carrying capacity

Question 9

What are the dangers of using synthetic EPO as a sport enhancement drug?

Answer 9

whole blood can sludge and clog capillaries
- If this happens in the brain it results in a
stroke
- if this happens in the heart, a heart attack

Question 10

What is the treatment of pre-operative anaemia?

Answer 10

Erythropoietin- Stimulating Agent

- Eprex

Question 11

What is Eprex?

Answer 11

is synthetic erythropoietin (epoetin alfa)

• causes increased red blood cell production by the body.
• Dosed in single use vials- Routinely administer up to 2-3 doses of 20,000 i.u per MD orders