Abstract

Chronic inflammation is a common feature of CKD and is a major cause of its associated
morbidity and mortality. Erythropoiesis is inhibited by several pro-inflammatory cytokines
such as interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ).12
These cytokines are particularly involved in the inflammatory process as they are directly
produced by macrophages (TNF-α, IL-1) or because their production by another cell is
induced by a macrophage cytokine (IFN-γ). Several studies have shown that markers of
inflammation are associated with a decreased response to erythropoietin. Out of these 52
patients, 12 patients couldn’t complete the study. 5 patients (2 in group A and 3 in group B)
left the study in between due to some unknown causes and 7 patients (4 in group A and 3 in
group B) expired during the study.So finally 40 patients (20 in each group) completed the
study. In group A there was a slight decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure from
baseline values of 153.5±12.06 and 92.3±6.06 mm of Hg to 150.4±12.62 and 89.2±5.36 mm
of Hg at 3 months, but the decrease was not significant statistically (p >0.05). In group B also
there was a slight decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure from baseline values of
156.2±8.72 and 92.4±6.31 mm of Hg to 149.1±18.20 and 93.6±4.75 mm of Hg at 3 months,
but the decrease was not significant statistically (p >0.05).