Abstract
To clarify the pathogenetic significance of the accumulated aluminum (Al) in the refractory anemia associated with chronic renal failure, the clinical effects of DFO administration on the anemia were evaluated in 15 regular hemodialysis patients.
More than 5% increase in hematocrit (Ht) was observed in 10 cases within 3 months of DFO administration, and the increase in Ht was correlated with ΔAl in DFO test and with the dose of DFO. Mean corposcular volume (MCV) and mean corposcular homoglobin (MCH) increased in the peripheral blood, and plasma erythropoietin and serum ferritin levels decreased concomitantly with the improvement in anemia.
These results indicate that the accumulation of Al is a significant pathogenic factor in refractory anemia in hemodialysis patients, and the administration of DFO is an effective therapeutic method to improve the anemia induced by Al accumulation.
