Background: Thrombopoietin (Tpo) is a recently cloned growth factor which plays a critical role in the regulation of thrombopoiesis. Tpo has also been shown to stimulate in vitro and in vivo erythroid cell growth. Although Tpo transcripts were detected in hepatocytes, proximal tubules and endothelium, mechanisms regulating the level of circulating Tpo have not been fully delineated. Changes in the vessel wall and blood flow in arteriovenous fistula (AVF) might alter Tpo activity.
Methods: Serum thrombopoietin levels and serum erythropoietin levels in samples concurrently obtained from venous returns of AVF and contralateral peripheral veins in 31 haemodialysis patients were determined and compared with 12 healthy controls. Levels were also compared between 14 haemodialysis patients (group I) treated with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu-Epo) and 17 haemodialysis patients (group II) not requiring rHu-Epo.
Results: Serum Tpo levels (44.8 +/- 23.9 pg/ml, vs 129.9 +/- 113.6 pg/ml, P<0.05) and platelet counts (194 +/- 55, 10(6)/ml vs 273 +/- 94. 10(6)/ml, P<0.05) of haemodialysis patients were lower than healthy controls. Serum Tpo levels were inversely correlated with platelet counts in the control group (R=-0.61, P<0.05), but not in haemodialysis patients. Tpo concentrations of AVF samples were lower than peripheral venous samples (31.6 +/- 17.7 pg/ml vs 44.8 +/- 23.9 pg/ml, P=0.001). No significant difference was present between the serum Tpo concentrations of haemodialysis patients in group I and group II. Serum Tpo levels were not correlated with haemoglobin levels or serum erythropoietin levels in haemodialysis patients.
Conclusion: Decreased serum Tpo levels despite low platelet counts in haemodialysis patients suggest that the proposed feedback mechanism of platelet uptake of Tpo is not fully operative in these patients. Moreover, AVF might affect the local production and/or catabolism of this growth factor.