Erythropoietin mediated reduction in blood glucose

Erythropoietin (EPO) regulates the erythrocytes. Hoever, recently several studies suggest that EPO might have pleiotropic functions.

Katz et al. address the interplay between EPO, glucose metabolism and body weight. In this study the authors have investigated the effects of erythropoietin on plasma glucose levels and glucose tolerance in a number of animal models of including human erythropoietin transgenic mice and ob/ob mice. The results show reduced plasma glucose and insulin levels and improved glucose tolerance. Interestingly, both the transgenic mice and the ob/ob mice displayed reduced body weights in the face of normal or increased food intake. The idea that EPO acts on glucose metabolism places this hormone in a new and important area with significant clinical applications in diabetes and obesity. Katz et al., Journal of Endocrinology.

Read full article at DOI: 10.1677/JOE-09-0425