EFFECTS OF RECOMBINANT ERYTHROPOIETIN ON SERUM PARAOXONASE ACTIVITY, TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT AND LIPID PEROXIDATION LEVELS IN MALE RATS

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone that secretes by renal tissue in response to hypoxia and increases red blood cell (RBC) production. Recent studies demonstrate that the EPO has protective effects against ischemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of recombinant erythropoietin (r-EPO) on serum Paraoxonase (PON) activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and lipid peroxidation levels in rats.

Materials & Methods: This study included 30 male adult wistar rats divided into 3 groups randomly (n=10). Groups A (high dose r-EPO) and B (low dose r-EPO) were injected as intraperitoneal (i.p.) for one and four weeks, respectively. Control group (C) was injected in equal volume normal saline, intraperitoneally.

Results: Data analyzes showed that, in treated groups by high and low doses of r-EPO in contrast with control group, there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in PON activity (with P = 0.026 ,P= 0.033 respectively), AE activity (with P= 0.033 ,P= 0.023 respectively) and serum TAC levels (with P =0.008, P= 0.004 respectively), statistically. A significant decrease also was observed about the MDA concentration (with P =0.002, P= 0.020 respectively) as a lipid peroxidation index.

Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study, r-EPO has the antioxidant properties and decreases lipid peroxidation. Therefore, it can be used in oxidative stress conditions.