OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of desferrioxamine (DFO) infusion on chronic disease anemia (CDA) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by evaluating interleukin-6 (IL-6) and erythropoietin (EPO) production. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five patients with RA and CDA (group I) were treated with DFO, 500 mg daily, through a continuous 10-h subcutaneous infusion 5 days a week for 4 weeks. One month after withdrawal, DFO was resumed in all five group I patients (group II) with an increase to 1 g daily following the previous treatment schedule. Clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated weekly during the two study periods. Serum EPO was measured by radioimmunoassay. IL-6 was detected by the enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay method. RESULTS: No significant variations in hematological parameters, IL-6 or EPO levels were observed in group I patients. After 1 week of DFO 1 g daily, reticulocyte counts and EPO improved significantly. Hemoglobin and hematocrit rose significantly after 3 weeks of 1 g daily DFO therapy. Four weeks after DFO withdrawal, EPO, reticulocyte counts, hemoglobin and hematocrit returned to baseline levels. A significant improvement in the clinical parameters of disease activity was observed, particularly in group II patients. CONCLUSION: DFO improves CDA in RA patients. The beneficial effects on erythropoiesis seem to be related to improved EPO responsiveness to the anemia.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of desferrioxamine (DFO) infusion on chronic disease anemia (CDA) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by evaluating interleukin-6 (IL-6) and erythropoietin (EPO) production. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five patients with RA and CDA (group I) were treated with DFO, 500 mg daily, through a continuous 10-h subcutaneous infusion 5 days a week for 4 weeks. One month after withdrawal, DFO was resumed in all five group I patients (group II) with an increase to 1 g daily following the previous treatment schedule. Clinical and laboratory parameters were evaluated weekly during the two study periods. Serum EPO was measured by radioimmunoassay. IL-6 was detected by the enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay method. RESULTS: No significant variations in hematological parameters, IL-6 or EPO levels were observed in group I patients. After 1 week of DFO 1 g daily, reticulocyte counts and EPO improved significantly. Hemoglobin and hematocrit rose significantly after 3 weeks of 1 g daily DFO therapy. Four weeks after DFO withdrawal, EPO, reticulocyte counts, hemoglobin and hematocrit returned to baseline levels. A significant improvement in the clinical parameters of disease activity was observed, particularly in group II patients. CONCLUSION:DFO improves CDA in RApatients. The beneficial effects on erythropoiesis seem to be related to improved EPO responsiveness to the anemia.
Authors: F C Arnett; S M Edworthy; D A Bloch; D J McShane; J F Fries; N S Cooper; L A Healey; S R Kaplan; M H Liang; H S Luthra Journal: Arthritis Rheum Date: 1988-03
Authors: T Pincus; N J Olsen; I J Russell; F Wolfe; E R Harris; T J Schnitzer; J A Boccagno; S B Krantz Journal: Am J Med Date: 1990-08 Impact factor: 4.965
Authors: D R Blake; P Winyard; J Lunec; A Williams; P A Good; S J Crewes; J M Gutteridge; D Rowley; B Halliwell; A Cornish Journal: Q J Med Date: 1985-07