Diabetes decreases patency of tunneled catheters in hemodialysis patients after first effective thrombolysis with urokinase.

INTRODUCTION: Fibrinolysis is one of the methods extending the use of vascular access in patients with tunneled venous catheters thrombosis. The aim of this study was to assess one-year maintenance of tunneled catheters patency after first effective thrombolysis with urokinase and identify its predictors. METHODS: Retrospective analysis included 85 patients (age 69 ± 13 years) with permanent venous catheter thrombosis treated with urokinase at one center in the period 2010-2016. Urokinase was used (depending on weight) at a dose of 10,000 or 20,000 IU in an 8 h infusion to each catheter line. Assessment of one-year efficacy of fibrinolysis included the time between fibrinolysis and following thrombosis of the same catheter in patients that have previously obtained at least partial blood flow. The analysis included medication, comorbidities, catheter patency time and INR value during first thrombosis episode. RESULTS: There were 62.4% patients with type-2 diabetes and 11.8% with neoplasm. The thrombolysis procedure was effective in 73 patients (85.9%). An analysis of the one-year efficacy of thrombolysis procedure included 73 patients. Among them, 23 experienced next episode of catheter-related thrombosis within a year postprocedure. Diabetes increased the risk for recurrent thrombosis [HR =3.19 (1.09-9.41); p = .03]. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diabetes are at higher risk of recurrent catheter-related thrombosis and therefore may require more aggressive anticoagulation therapy for its prevention.

N-Terminal Prohormone of Brain Natriuretic Peptide but not C-Terminal Pre-Pro Vasopressin (Copeptin) Level is Associated with the Response to Antihypertensive Therapy in Haemodialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Volume overload, frequently clinically asymptomatic is considered as a causative factor limiting the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess plasma levels of N-terminal fragment of the prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and a C-terminal portion of the precursor of vasopressin (CT-proAVP, copeptin), surrogate markers of volume overload in HD patients in relation to the number of antihypertensive drugs used in the hypertension treatment. METHODS: One hundred and fifty adult HD patients (92 males) were enrolled into this study. Clinical data concerning blood pressure (BP) measurements prior haemodialysis session and pharmacotherapy were collected from all patients. In addition to routine laboratory parameters, plasma levels of NT-proBNP and CT-proAVP were measured, and daily sodium and water consumption were estimated with a portion-size food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Among 145 (96.7%) hypertensive HD patients, 131 were receiving antihypertensive medication. Despite antihypertensive therapy, 31.0% had inadequate BP control. Plasma concentration of NT-proBNP was associated with systolic (R=0.19; p=0.02) but not diastolic BP values and with the number of received antihypertensive drugs (R=0.21; p=0.01). The highest NT-proBNP values were observed in patients receiving 3 or more antihypertensive drugs. In contrast, no significant correlation was found between plasma CT-proAVP concentrations and BP values as well as and the number of antihypertensive drugs. Receiver operator curve analysis showed that NT-proBNP values over 13,184 pg/mL predicted the use of at least 3 antihypertensive drugs in maximal doses in the therapy of hypertension, similar analyses performed for CT-proAVP showed much less specificity. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Increased levels of NT-proBNP seems to be a better biomarker of multidrug antihypertensive therapy requirement than CT-proAVP. 2. Whether estimation of NT-proBNP in these patients will be also better biomarker than copeptin in the prediction of cardiovascular complications related to hypertension needs further investigations.

Bronchial asthma control after argon plasma coagulation turbinectomy in patients with chronic rhinitis.

Bronchial asthma is frequently accompanied by chronic rhinitis. It has been observed that effective treatment of rhinitis may reduce asthma symptoms. The aim of the study was the evaluation of the control of bronchial asthma symptoms in patients with chronic rhinitis after argon plasma coagulation turbinectomy (APCt). The effect of APCt was assessed in 47 adults with drug-resistant chronic rhinitis and bronchial asthma 3-month post-procedure. Changes of asthma symptoms were scored using Asthma Control Test (ACT). Subjective improvement of nasal congestion 3 months after APCt was observed in 87% and of rhinorrhoea in 75% patients. Rhinomanometry showed 219 ± 19 cm³/s increase of flow and 0.75 ± 0.06 Pa/cm³/s reduction of resistance. The prevalence of patients with insufficient bronchial asthma control decreased from 79 to 4%. The decrease was associated with diminished frequency of eosinophils >20% in nasal cytology from 83% pre-procedure to 28% in the follow-up. The percentage of eosinophils >20% in cytology before APCt increased the chance for asthma control improvement by 22.8 times. Reduction in symptoms of drug-resistant rhinitis after APCt is followed by significant improvement of asthma control. The most beneficial therapeutic effects of APCt are noted in patients with a high rate of eosinophils in nasal cytology.

The effect of sodium restricted diet on plasma visfatin levels in hypertensive patients with visceral obesity.

AIM/BACKGROUND: Experimental and clinical studies revealed contradictory data concerning the influence of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) system activation on visfatin release. The aim of the present study was the assessment of the effect of dietary sodium restriction with RAA system activation on visfatin level in hypertensive and normotensive patients with visceral obesity. METHODS: The study included 24 hypertensive patients with visceral obesity (12 women) and 22 normotensive subjects with visceral obesity (11 women) constituting the control group. Plasma renin activity, plasma insulin, aldosterone and visfatin levels were determined twice, on normal-salt diet after 6-8 h in recumbent position and the second time after 3 days of dietary sodium restriction and upright position for 2 h. Dietary compliance was controlled by 24 h natriuresis measurement. RESULTS: Hypertensive patients had significantly higher plasma visfatin level than the control group [11.0 (8.5-13.5) vs. 6.8 (6.0-7.6) ng/ml, p=0.003]. Dietary sodium restriction and upright position caused significant increase in PRA and plasma aldosterone level in both groups. While, plasma visfatin level remained unaffected. In the combined group plasma visfatin levels correlated with BMI (r=0.398), waist circumference (r=0.391), glucose (r=0.328), insulin (r=0.663), HOMA-IR (r=0.698), triglycerides (r=0.500) and CRP (r=0.546) but not with percentage of fat mass, percentage of trunk fat, and blood pressure values. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Increased plasma visfatin concentration may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of hypertension in patients with visceral obesity. 2) RAA system activation by dietary sodium restriction and upright position has no effect on plasma visfatin levels in subjects with visceral obesity.

Calcification of coronary arteries and abdominal aorta in relation to traditional and novel risk factors of atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Process of accelerated atherosclerosis specific for uremia increases cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and may be influenced by the different structure of arteries. The study assesses the influence of traditional and novel risk factors on calcification of coronary arteries (CAC) and abdominal aorta (AAC) in hemodialysis patients (HD). METHODS: CAC and AAC were assessed by CT in 104 prevalent adult HD and 14 apparently healthy subjects with normal kidney function (control group). Mineral metabolism parameters, plasma levels of FGF-23, MGP, osteoprotegerin, osteopontin, fetuin-A, CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α were measured. RESULTS: CAC and AAC (calcification score ≥ 1) were found in 76 (73.1%) and 83 (79.8%) HD respectively, more frequent than in the control group. In 7 HD with AAC no CAC were detected. The frequency and severity of calcifications increased with age. Both CAC and AAC were more frequently detected in diabetics (OR = 17.37 and 13.00, respectively). CAC score was significantly greater in males. CAC and AAC scores were correlated significantly with pack-years of smoking and plasma osteoprotegrin levels. However the independent contribution of plasma osteoprotegerin levels was not confirmed in multiple regression analysis. Age (OR = 1.13) and hemodialysis vintage (OR = 1.14) were the independent risk factor favoring the occurrence of CAC; while age (OR = 1.20) was the only predictor of AAC occurrence in HD. CONCLUSIONS: 1. AAC precedes the occurrence of CAC in HD patients. 2. The exposition to uremic milieu and systemic chronic microinflammation has more deteriorative effect on the CAC than the AAC.

Number of Regularly Prescribed Drugs and Intrapatient Tacrolimus Trough Levels Variability in Stable Kidney Transplant Recipients.

High intra-patient variability (IPV) of tacrolimus levels is associated with poor long-term outcome after transplantation. We aimed to evaluate whether the number of regularly prescribed medications is associated with the tacrolimus IPV. We have studied 152 kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) with mean post-transplant time of 6.0 ± 3.1 years. The coefficient of variation (CV) as a measure of IPV was calculated in each individual patient. Data concerning the type and number of currently prescribed medications were collected. The participants were divided into four groups, based on the number of regularly prescribed drugs (≤3, 4-6, 7-9, ≥10 drugs, respectively). There was an increasing trend for median CV, proportional to the increasing number of medications [group 1: 0.11 (interquartile range, 0.08-0.14), group 2: 0.14 (0.01-0.17), group 3: 0.17 (0.14-0.23), group 4: 0.17 (0.15-0.30); p value for trend = 0.001]. Stepwise backward multivariate regression analysis revealed that the number of medications [partial correlation coefficient (rpartial) = 0.503, p < 0.001] independently influenced the tacrolimus IPV. Concomitant steroid or diuretics use increased IPV only in Advagraf-treated KTRs, whereas proton-pump inhibitor or statin use increased IPV in the Prograf group but not in the Advagraf group. A large number of concomitant medications significantly increases the tacrolimus IPV in stable KTRs.

Relationship between plasma levels of sclerostin, calcium-phosphate disturbances, established markers of bone turnover, and inflammation in haemodialysis patients.

PURPOSE: Data concerning the relation between increased levels of circulating sclerostin (a physiological inhibitor of bone formation) and bone turnover in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate associations between plasma sclerostin levels and calcium-phosphate disturbances, markers of bone turnover as well as inflammation in haemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: In plasma samples obtained in 150 stable HD patients (92 men) aged 40-70 years, levels of sclerostin, fibroblast growth factor (cFGF23), osteocalcin, the N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen, C-terminal telopeptide of the alpha chain of type I collagen (ß-CTx), and inflammatory markers (IL-6 and TNF-α) in addition to routine parameters (calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone-iPTH, 25-OH-D, alkaline phosphatase) were measured. RESULTS: Plasma sclerostin concentrations were significantly higher in HD men than women (2.61 vs. 1.88 ng/mL, p < 0.01). Patients with sclerostin levels above median were characterized by lower iPTH and IL-6, but higher cFGF23 and TNF-α (significantly only in men) concentrations. Plasma sclerostin concentration positively correlated with serum 25-OH-D (τ = 0.204), phosphorus (τ = 0.1482), and TNF-α (τ = 0.183) and inversely with iPTH (τ = - 0.255), alkaline phosphatase (τ = - 0.203), IL-6 (τ =- 0.201), and ß-CTx (τ = - 0.099) levels. In multivariate regression analysis, variability of sclerostin levels was explained by sex and 25-OH-D and phosphorus levels. CONCLUSIONS: Increased circulating sclerostin levels seem to reflect slower bone turnover in HD patients. Low levels of sclerostin are associated with vitamin D deficiency and good phosphates alignment.

Arterial stiffness but not endothelial dysfunction is associated with multidrug antihypertensive therapy and nondipper blood pressure pattern in kidney transplant recipients.

Vascular injury related to chronic kidney disease results in increased arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction which may affect arterial blood pressure (BP) and influence patient and graft survival in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs).This cross-sectional study aims to elucidate the relationship between the above-mentioned measures of vascular damage and effectiveness of antihypertensive treatment in KTR.One hundred forty-five KTRs 7.6 ±â€Š2.7 years after transplantation were enrolled in our study. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NMD) were measured, and 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring was performed.Overall, there were 62 patients with well-controlled or borderline BP and 83 subjects who did not achieve target BP despite antihypertensive treatment. Patients with suboptimal BP control were characterized by greater PWV (median 9.6/interquartile range: 3.9 vs 8.0/3.3 m/s, P = .002), but borderline lower FMD (8.4% ±â€Š5.0% vs 9.9% ±â€Š5.7%; P = .09) as compared with the group with better BP control. When patients were allocated to subgroups based on the number of current antihypertensive medications, no differences in FMD and NMD were found. However, a significant trend was observed for higher PWV values and decreased proportion of dippers along with the increasing number of drugs. PWV, diabetes, and total cholesterol level, but not FMD or NMD, were explanatory variables for systolic BP in multivariate analysis.Arterial stiffness but not endothelial dysfunction is associated with suboptimal BP control in stable KTRs. Less efficient antihypertensive treatment appears to be caused by inadequate control of nocturnal BP.

Nutrient intake assessed with Diet History Questionnaire II, in relation to long-term calcium-phosphate control in hemodialysis patients with end-stage renal failure.

BACKGROUND: Diet is a key factor that determines proper alignment of calcium-phosphate and nutritional status among hemodialysis (HD) patients. OBJECTIVES: To assess the nutrient intake in relation to long-term calcium-phosphate control in HD patients with end-stage renal failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 107 patients (66 men, 41 women) from 10 dialysis centers in the Upper Silesia region of Poland. To analyze the diet composition during the previous year, a portion-sized version of the Diet History Questionnaire II (DHQ-II) from National Institutes of Health was used. The nutrient intake was assessed in accordance with the most complex recommendations on HD patients' nutrition - K/DOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines for nutrition in chronic renal failure. Poor long-term alignment of calcium-phosphate homeostasis was defined as the presence of over 50% monthly phosphorus concentrations exceeding 5 mg/dL, and for calcium 10.2 mg/dL, during the last 6-month period. RESULTS: Lower than recommended protein intake was found in 63% of HD patients (average consumption: 0.9 ±0.5 g/kg/day). Most of the patients consumed too much fat (33.5 ±6.7% of daily energy intake) and sodium (2912 ±1542 mg/day). In 42% of patients, dietary phosphorus intake was consistent with the recommendations (13.3 ±7.5 mg/kg/day). Protein intake over 1.2 g/kg/day resulted in an increased consumption of phosphorous, but did not increase the risk of misalignment of phosphorus concentrations (OR = 1.15 [0.40-3.27]); p = 0.8). Poor control of serum phosphorus concentrations was observed in 69% of patients (they were on average 8 years younger). The average intake of protein and phosphate in the groups with good or not satisfactory serum phosphorus alignment did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate control of protein intake is not sufficient to obtain phosphorus alignment, especially in younger HD patients.

Relationship between plasma levels of zonulin, bacterial lipopolysaccharides, D-lactate and markers of inflammation in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Increased permeability of the intestinal wall and intestinal dysbiosis may contribute to chronic systemic inflammation, one of the causes of accelerated atherosclerosis and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality burden in patients with chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between markers of intestinal permeability and inflammation in haemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: Plasma concentration of zonulin, haptoglobin, TNFα, IL6, D-lactates and bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) was assessed in blood samples obtained after overnight fast before midweek morning HD session in 150 stable, prevalent HD patients. Daily intake of energy and macronutrients was assessed on the basis of a food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Serum hsCRP level was increased in over 70% of patients. Plasma levels of zonulin [11.6 (10.9-12.3) vs 6.8 (5.8-7.8) ng/mL], IL6 [6.2 (1.0-10.3) vs 1.3 (1.0-2.0) pg/mL] and TNFα [5.9 (2.9-11.8) vs 1.6 (1.3-1.8) pg/mL], but not LPS and D-lactates were significantly higher in HD than in healthy controls. D-lactates and LPS levels were weakly associated with IL6 (R = 0.175; p = 0.03, and R = 0.241; p = 0.003). There was a borderline correlation between plasma zonulin and serum hsCRP (R = 0.159; p = 0.07), but not with IL6, LPS and D-lactates. In multiple regression, both serum CRP and plasma IL6 variability were explained by LPS (ß = 0.143; p = 0.08 and ß = 0.171; p = 0.04, respectively), only. CONCLUSION: The weak association between plasma D-lactate, LPS and IL6 levels indicates that intestinal flora overgrowth or increased intestinal permeability contributes very slightly to the chronic inflammation development in HD patients.

Influence of parathyroidectomy on blood pressure and function of the transplanted kidney in patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Tertiary hyperparathyroidism is one of the causes of bone demineralisation, nephrolithiasis and a potential risk factor influencing blood pressure and excretory graft function in patients after kidney transplantation (Tx). The aim of the study is to analyse the influence of parathyroidectomy (PTx) on graft function and blood pressure control in these patients. METHODS: 392 subsequent patients after kidney Tx were included into this analysis. Records of 84 patients (21.4%) with elevated plasma calcium concentration (> 2.6 mmol/l) during observation were reviewed. In 39 patients (9.9%) calcaemia remained elevated for over 1 year after kidney Tx. Eleven patients (2.81%) were referred for PTx. In 2 cases PTx were performed within the first 6 months, while the 9 others undergone surgery between 16 and 36 months after Tx. We have evaluated the influence of PTx on renal allograft excretory function, blood pressure and the number of antihypertensive drugs in kidney transplant patients. RESULTS: In 7 out of 11 patients the indication for PTx was renal osteodystrophy, while in other cases the indication was the asymptomatic hypercalcaemia. Shortly after surgery normalisation of calcaemia was observed in all cases. However the creatinine clearance did not changed shortly after PTx (64 +/- 12 vs. 63 +/- 16 ml/min), and a slight deterioration of transplanted kidney excretory function was observed in 2 patients. 12 months after PTx deterioration of GFR (5320 ml/min) of borderline significance was found. All patients before PTx suffered from arterial hypertension, ten of them were receiving antihypertensive drugs (average 1.6 medicine per patient). Two weeks after PTx a transient decline of both systolic and diastolic blood pressures (-13 +/- 14 mmHg; p = 0.02 and -46 mmHg; p = 0.06, respectively) was observed. However there was a negative correlation between initial plasma calcium concentration and decline of diastolic blood pressure (R = -0.884; p = 0.0003). Six and twelve months after PTx blood pressure values were at the same magnitude as before PTx. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Parathyroidectomy and normalisation of calcaemia did not influence significantly the excretory allograft kidney function. (2) Patients benefit from PTx only with the transient improvement of their blood pressure control.

Functional deficiency of vitamin K in hemodialysis patients in Upper Silesia in Poland.

PURPOSE: Functional vitamin K deficiency (both K1 and K2) is postulated to be one of the most relevant links between chronic kidney disease and vascular calcification in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Recommended dietary restrictions in HD patients superimposed on diversity of eating habits across the countries may affect the prevalence of functional vitamin K deficiency. The aim of this study was to determine the level of functional vitamin K deficiency and its relation to vitamin K1 intake in HD patients in Upper Silesia in Poland. METHODS: Protein-induced vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) and undercarboxylated matrix Gla protein (ucMGP) were assessed by ELISA in 153 stable, prevalent HD patients and 20 apparently healthy adults (to establish normal ranges for PIVKA-II and ucMGP). Daily phylloquinone intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: PIVKA-II and ucMGP levels were increased in 27.5 and 77.1 % of HD patients in comparison with the reference ranges in apparently healthy controls, respectively. In 45 % of cases, the increased PIVKA-II level was explained by insufficient phylloquinone intake for Polish population (recommended intake: >55 µg for women and >65 µg for men). Applying ROC analysis, we showed that vitamin K1 intake below 40.2 µg/day was associated with increased PIVKA-II levels. There was no correlation between vitamin K1 intake and plasma concentration of ucMGP, or between PIVKA-II and ucMGP. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Functional vitamin K1 deficiency is explained by low vitamin K1 intake in less than half of HD patients. (2) Undercarboxylated matrix Gla protein level is a poor surrogate for functional vitamin K1 deficiency.

Daily intake and serum concentration of menaquinone-4 (MK-4) in haemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVES: Decreased concentration of menaquinone-4 (MK-4) seems to be an important risk factor of vascular calcification in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Optimal dietary intake, as well as serum MK-4 reference range, in HD has not been determined, yet. The aim of the present study was to assess daily vitamin K1 and MK-4 intakes and their relation to serum MK-4 concentration in HD patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: Daily vitamin K1 and MK-4, micro- and macronutrients and energy intakes were assessed using 3-day food diary completed by patients and serum MK-4 concentration was measured by HPLC [limit of quantification (LOQ): 0.055 ng/mL] in 85 HD patients (51 males) and 22 apparently healthy subjects. RESULTS: Daily MK-4 intake was significantly lower (by 29%) among HD, while K1 consumption was similar in both groups. Daily MK-4 intake was associated with fat and protein consumption in HD (r=0.43, p<0.001 and r=0.33, p=0.004, respectively). In HD serum MK-4 concentration was more frequently below LOQ (in 41% HD and 5% controls, p<0.001) and in those HD with quantifiable values was lower than in the controls (by 42%). The correlations between MK-4 concentrations and both MK-4 and K1 daily intakes were weaker in HD (r=0.38 and r=0.30 respectively) than in the control group (r=0.47 and r=0.45, respectively). In multiple regression analysis the variability of serum MK-4 concentrations in HD patients was explained by its daily intake. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased serum MK-4 concentration in HD patients is caused by lower dietary MK-4 intake, mainly due to diminished meat consumption, and in addition, probably reduced K1 conversion.

Plasma concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha may predict the outcome of patients with acute renal failure.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Elevated plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) concentration is frequently found in patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis (HD) and correlates with their mortality. The present study aimed to analyze the relationship between plasma TNFalpha concentrations and survival of patients with nonseptic acute renal failure (ARF). METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with ARF and 27 HD patients were examined. In ARF the patients' plasma TNFalpha concentrations were assessed 3 times: before the first HD session (phase I), 5 days later at the anuric/oliguric phase (phase II), and at the polyuric phase at discharge of the patients from the hospital (phase III). In 17 ARF patients kidney function recovered and 10 patients died in phase I. RESULTS: In ARF patients plasma TNFalpha concentration was markedly higher [70 pg/ml (37-275)] than reference values (<5 pg/ml) but significantly lower than in HD patients [216 pg/ml (18-350)]. Moreover, also plasma TNFalpha levels at the polyuric phase remained elevated. An initial plasma TNFalpha concentration in ARF patients lower than 70 pg/ml predicted the beneficial outcome with a sensitivity of 64.7% and a specificity of 70.0%. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Plasma TNFalpha concentration may predict the outcome in patients with ARF. (2) Plasma TNFalpha concentration remained elevated at the polyuric phase in ARF despite a marked improvement of excretory kidney function.

[Influence of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on plasma levels of selected hormones in females with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Wplyw leczenia niedokrwistosci za pomoca ludzkiej erytropoetyny uzyskanej metodt rekombinacji genetycznej (rHuEPO) na stezenie w osoczu wybranych hormonów u kobiet chorych na reumatoidalne zapalenie stawów.

During recent years, it was shown, that treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) stimulates erythropoiesis in patients both with renal and nonrenal anaemia. Additionally in patients with chronic renal failure treated with rHuEPO a significant, however only transient, influence on function of endocrine glands was also found. The present study aimed to asses for the first time the influence of rHuEPO on function of endocrine organs in anaemic patients with rheumatoid arthritis and normal renal function. Twenty two woman with rheumatoid arthritis and concomitant anaemia (Ht < or = 30%) were enrolled into the study. In 13 of them rHuEPO was used during 4 months (5000 IU 2 times per week s.c.). The rest 9 woman with similar degree of anaemia did not receive rHuEPO therapy. In woman of both groups intensive clinical and biochemical monitoring during 4 months period was performed. Blood samples were withdrawn before and after 4 months of rHuEPO therapy or clinical observation only. In these blood samples plasma concentrations of somatotropin (HGH), insulin (IRI), aldosterone (ALD), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD3), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and plasma renin activity (PRA) were estimated. After 4 months of rHuEPO therapy significant increase of plasma IRI, ANP concentrations and significant decrease of PRA and plasma ALD, HGH concentrations were found. Therapy with rHuEPO does not influence significantly plasma iPTH and 25OHD3 concentration. During 4 months of clinical observation in patients not treated with rHuEPO, plasma concentrations of HGH, IRI, ALD, ANP, 25OHD3, iPTH and plasma renin activity (PRA) did not change significantly. Results obtained in this study suggest, that rHuEPO therapy does influence the function of endocrine organs also in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with normal renal function.