Erythropoiesis and erythropoietin production in renal and sickle cell anemias.

Erythropoiesis and erythropoietin production in renal and sickle cell anemias. A. J. Erslev, A. Besarab, S. K. Ballas. Dept. of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA. In a study of 22 hematologically stable and untreated uremic patients the rate of red cell production was significantly lower than normal whereas erythropoietin titer was high or normal. The conclusion is made that azotemia suppresses erythropoietic action. Administration of recombinant erythropoietin can easily overcome this inhibition. In hematologically stable sickle cell patients the rate of red cell production was 3 to 5 times higher than normal. These rates were associated with erythropoietin titers increase 3-5-fold. Whether this linear relationship between erythropoietin titers and red cell production represents normal sensitivity of the bone marrow is not clear.