Introduction and Objective: Erythropoietin (EPO), a glycoprotein cytokine primarily produced in the kidneys in response to hypoxia is required for erythrocyte production, promotes erythroid differentiation and increases glucose uptake in erythroid progenitor cells in culture. The discovery that its receptor (EPOR) is expressed on both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tissues has led to research expanding our understanding the role of EPO beyond hematopoietic tissues, including its effects glucose metabolism.Methods: Quite young Wild-Type (WT) C57BL/6 mice, 6-7 weeks of age, both males and females were treated with either EPO (3000 units/kg 3X/week) or PBS for 3 weeks while on either a high-fat diet (HFD, 60% kcal fat) or normal chow (NC, 10% kcal fat). Hematocrit (HCT), weight, fasting blood glucose, and a glucose tolerance test (GTT) were measured at the beginning (week 0) and at the end of weeks 1, 2, and 3.Results: As early as the end of week 1, EPO increased HCT, decreased fasting blood glucose, and improved glucose tolerance. This trend continued through the 2nd and 3rd weeks of EPO treatment. Male and female mice behaved similarly in measurements, although females weigh less than males. On HFD, weight gain at the end of the 3 weeks was similar whether the male or female mice were treated with EPO or PBS, but in males treated with EPO, there was a significant reduction in weight gain while on NC, less so in females treated with EPO.Conclusion: These data provide evidence that EPO treatment in young mice increases hematocrit, improves glucose metabolism and increases glucose tolerance independent of diet and change in fat mass or body weight. This expanded understanding of EPO could have implications for treating various conditions, particularly those related to metabolism and anemia.
H. Rogers: None. W. Yin: None. C.T. Noguchi: None.
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