Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin on synthesis of methylguanidine in uraemic patients on haemodialysis or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

The effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on synthesis of methylguanidine was studied in 6 uraemic patients on haemodialysis and 5 uraemic patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The two groups of patients were started on a 24-week course of thrice weekly 1500 IU of rHuEPO by the intravenous route. Serum methylguanidine level and methylguanidine/creatinine ratio were comparable in these groups. In the two groups no significant differences were observed in these measurements comparing the pretreatment values with those 4, 8, 12 or 24 weeks after starting rHuEPO administration. During rHuEPO therapy, serum methylguanidine levels and methylguanidine/creatinine ratio showed no considerable difference between the two groups. These findings suggest that administration of rHuEPO does not alter methylguanidine synthesis in uraemic patients on haemodialysis and CAPD.