Description
EPO, produced mainly by peritubular interstitial cells in the kidney, acts as a major regulator of erythropoiesis, by promoting the survival and proliferation of erythroid precursor cells. EPO acts primarily on apoptosis to decrease the rate of cell death in erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. EPO can also exert non-erythropoietic effects. Recent evidence suggests that the administration of recombinant human-EPO plays a protective role in vascular diseases.
Indications
Increased EPO levels are found in patients with tissue hypoxia including anemia, lung disease, or cyanotic heart disease and chronic heart failure. In anemia, serum EPO levels do not rise above normal until hemoglobin levels fall below 110 g/L. Decreased levels are seen inpatients with renal insufficiency, anemic patients with cancer, as well as those with rheumatoid arthritis, HIV infection, ulcerative colitis, sickle cell anemia, and the anemia of prematurity.
Sample Type, Quantity & Conditions
1 ml Serum or Heparinized Plasma Stability: 7 Days at 2-8 °C 2 Months at -20 °C
Special Precautions
Avoid grossly hemolysed or grossly lipemic samples. Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles.
Normal Range
3.22-31.9 mIU/mL
