Erythropoietin and the Role of Inflammation in Anaemia in Patients with Chronic Renal Living in Cote D’ivoire

Introduction: Anemia is one of the most common complications of kidney failure. The kidney is responsible for the production of erythropoietin, a key hormone in erythropoiesis. Insufficient production of erythropoietin due to impaired kidney functions and also inflammation could explain this anemia. This study aimed at contributing to a better understanding of the mechanisms of erythropoietin in anemia observed in kidney failure.

Methods: The study population consisted of 138 people: 92 with chronic renal failure (46 not on dialysis, 46 on hemodialysis) and 46 voluntaries as control without kidney failure. Serum concentrations of urea, creatinine, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum iron, ferritin and transferrin were determined using the Cobas C311 Hitachi machine. The erythropoietin assay was performed on the ELISA chain.

Results: Lower mean values ​​of EPO, increased CRP and decreased iron were observed in CKF patients (EPO: 5.66 ± 0.97 mIU / L; CRP: 45 ± 7.46 mg / l ; Iron: 12.46 ± 0.85 µmol / l), and patients under dialysis (EPO: 9 ± 0.51 mIU / L; CRP: 9 ± 2.66 mg / l; Iron: 10.07 ± 0.54 µmol / l) compared to controls (EPO: 18 ± 1.29 mIU / L; CRP: 2 ± 0.30 mg / l; Iron: 15.85 ± 0.56 µmol / l).

Conclusion: Anemia in chronic renal failure is thought to be due to an erythropoietin deficiency but also to an exacerbation of inflammation with a disruption of the iron status.