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Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) are medications which stimulate the bone marrow to erythropoeisis, make red blood cells. They are used to treat anemia due to end stage kidney disease, chemotherapy, major surgery, or certain treatments in HIV/AIDS. In these situations they decrease the need for blood transfusions. The different agents are more or less equivalent. They are given by injection. Common side effects may include joint pain, rash, vomiting, and headache. Serious side effects may include myocardial infarction, heart attacks, stroke, increased cancer growth, or pure red cell aplasia. It is unclear if use is safe during pregnancy. They work similar to naturally occurring erythropoietin. They were first approved for medical use in the United States in 1989. It is on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Commercially available agents include epoetin alfa and darbepoetin alfa, and biosimilars. Use among at ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Erythropoietin
Erythropoietin (; EPO), also known as erythropoetin, haematopoietin, or haemopoietin, is a glycoprotein cytokine secreted mainly by the kidneys in response to cellular hypoxia; it stimulates red blood cell production (erythropoiesis) in the bone marrow. Low levels of EPO (around 10 mU/mL) are constantly secreted in sufficient quantities to compensate for normal red blood cell turnover. Common causes of cellular hypoxia resulting in elevated levels of EPO (up to 10 000 mU/mL) include any anemia, and hypoxemia due to chronic lung disease. Erythropoietin is produced by interstitial fibroblasts in the kidney in close association with the peritubular capillary and proximal convoluted tubule. It is also produced in perisinusoidal cells in the liver. Liver production predominates in the fetal and perinatal period; renal production predominates in adulthood. It is homologous with thrombopoietin. Exogenous erythropoietin, recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO), ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
