OBSERVATIONS ON ERYTHROPOIETIC-STIMULATING FACTOR (ESF) IN THE PLASMA OF UREMIC AND NONUREMIC ANEMIC PATIENTS

Abstract
The plasma levels of ESF in 52 anemic patients were measured by bio-assay in starved rats or polycythemic rats. Comparative studies showed no difference in the two assay technics. Elevated levels were found in 20 of 27 nonuremic anemic patients. The highest levels of ESF in this group were found in patients with erythroid failure. In contrast significant elevations of ESF were found in only three of 25 anemic patients with renal insufficiency and uremia. An explanation for low plasma ESF levels in uremic, anemic patients is not available. However, derangement of humoral erythropoietic mechanisms may participate in the pathogenesis of the anemia of chronic renal disease.
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