Effect of erythropoietin on red cell immune function in patients with chronic kidney failure

AIM: To observe the effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on red cell immune function in patients with chronic kidney failure. METHODS: The red-cell C3b-receptor-circlet rate (RCR) and red-cell immunocompetence circlet rate (RICR) in patients with chronic kidney failure and in healthy people were examined by the assay of red-cell C3b-receptor yeast circlet and red-cell immunocompetence yeast circlet, respectively. RESULTS: RCR was higher in the treated patients (9.2%±0.9%) than that in untreated patients (2.6%±1.5%) and was lower than that in healthy persons(14.2%±2.8%). RICR was lower in treated patients (11.2%±0.8%) than in untreated patients (15.0%±1.5%) and was higher than in healthy persons (7.6%±1.1%). CONCLUSION: Red cell immune function was weak in patients with chronic kidney failure. EPO increased not only red cell number but also its immune function.