Effect of secondary hyperparathyroidism on the anaemia of end-stage renal failure: in vivo and in vitro studies

Abstract

Changes in haematocrit of 29 haemodialysis patients were followed 12 months before, close to and 12 months after parathyroidectomy. Mean haematocrit decreased significantly from 31.6 +/- 8.6 per cent to 29.1 +/- 8.4 per cent and increased to 33.3 +/- 7.9 per cent after PTX. Serum erythropoietin concentration, investigated pre and 6-12 months post PTX, at a time, when an increase of haematocrit values had been observed, did not significantly change (63 +/- 58 vs 67 +/- 37 mU/ml). The effect of 1-84 bovine parathyroid hormone on erythropoiesis was studied in vitro. A dose-related inhibition of colony formation of both fetal mouse liver and human bone marrow erythroid cells was observed in the presence of two to 8U parathyroid hormone/ml, suggesting direct bone marrow toxicity by excessive parathyroid hormone concentrations.