In Vitro and in Vivo Studies of Erythropoiesis during Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

Abstract

In order to understand the effect of CAPD on the anemia of chronic renal failure, we studied the behaviour of some hematological parameters and of the colony-formation capacity of bone marrow cells in in vitro cultures in patients undergoing this therapy. Our studies showed a rise in hematocrit, hemoglobin and reticulocyte values, which showed a significant correlation with a recovery of the erythroid cell proliferative activity. Since serum erythropoietin levels do not change, the improvement of bone-marrow function appears to be due to a better clearance (by CAPD) of substances, which inhibit the response of bone marrow to the erythropoietin.