Effects of age, unilateral renal ligation, and acute blood loss on a murine model of adenine-induced renal anemia

To explore the effects of age and unilateral renal ligation on hemoglobin levels, and the effects of acute bleeding on endogenous erythropoietin (EPO) in renal anemia. Adenine-induced mice were established to analyze the effects of age, acute blood loss (12-week-old and 12-month-old) and unilateral renal ligation (8-month-old) on renal anemia. The reasons changing serum EPO concentration were investigated by liver, kidney tests etc. It was found that the hemoglobin level of 12-month-old mice was lower than that of 12-week-old mice, and the hemoglobin level of unilateral renal ligation plus adenine was lower than that of adenine alone (p < 0.01). After bleeding, the levels of serum EPO in two model group were significantly higher than their corresponding normal groups (p 0.05). Renal EPO expression in model group decreased significantly compared with the normal group (p < 0.01), but the hepatic EPO expression increased significantly (p < 0.01), which were not only related with hemorrhage, but consistent with the expression of hypoxia-inducing factor-2α (HIF-2α). In summary, age and unilateral renal ligation aggravate renal anemia. They, together with hemorrhage, activate endogenous EPO secretion in liver.