American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of intravenous ascorbic acid in hemodialysis patients with EPO-hyporesponsive anemia and hyperferritinemia.
Although erythropoietin (EPO)-hyporesponsive anemia in hemodialysis patients most commonly results from iron deficiency, the contributory role of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in its pathogenesis is poorly understood. We conducted an open-label prospective study to assess the effect of vitamin C, an antioxidant, on EPO-hyporesponsive anemia in hemodialysis patients with unexplained hyperferritinemia. ⋯ In hemodialysis patients with refractory anemia and hyperferritinemia, vitamin C improved responsiveness to EPO, either by augmenting iron mobilization from its tissue stores or through antioxidant effects.