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Effects of erythropoietin on body composition and fat–glucose metabolism in patients with affective disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 June 2018

Maj Vinberg Open the ORCID record for Maj Vinberg [Opens in a new window] ,
Pernille Højman ,
Bente Klarlund Pedersen ,
Lars Vedel Kessing  and
Kamilla W. Miskowiak
Maj Vinberg*
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark
Pernille Højman
Affiliation:
The Centre of Inflammation and Metabolism (CIM) and the Centre for Physical Activity Research (CFAS), Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Bente Klarlund Pedersen
Affiliation:
The Centre of Inflammation and Metabolism (CIM) and the Centre for Physical Activity Research (CFAS), Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Lars Vedel Kessing
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark
Kamilla W. Miskowiak
Affiliation:
Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen Blegdamsvej, Copenhagen, Denmark Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
*
Author for correspondence: Maj Vinberg, Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. Tel: +45 3864 7026; Fax: +45 3864 7022; E-mail: maj.vinberg@regionh.dk
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Abstract

Background

Erythropoietin (EPO) has been suggested to improve metabolism and also cognition, but human studies are scarce. This randomised controlled trial aimed to investigate whether EPO treatment influences body composition and fat and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting glucose, and whether these changes would be associated with previous observed cognitive benefits of EPO.

Method

In total, 84 non-obese patients with treatment-resistant unipolar depression or bipolar disorder in remission were randomised to 8 weekly EPO (40,000 IU) or saline (NaCl 0.9%) infusions in a double-blind, parallel-group design. Patients underwent dual X-ray absorptiometry scans at baseline and week 14 (6 weeks after treatment completion). Cognitive measures were assessed and fasting levels of cholesterol, lipoprotein fractions, triacylglycerides, glucose and HbA1c were obtained at baseline, week 9 and follow-up week 14.

Results

In total, 79 patients had complete pre- and post-treatment data (EPO: N=40, saline: N=39). EPO had no cumulative effect on body composition and markers of fat metabolism. The EPO-treated group exhibited significantly lower HbA1c levels after 8 weeks treatment [F(1, 80)=8.51, p=0.005], however, 6 weeks after treatment termination a significantly higher fasting glucose levels [F(1, 79)=5.85, p=0.02] and HbA1c levels [F(1, 79)=5.85, p=0.02] were seen. The latter increase in HbA1c was further significantly correlated with a better cognitive outcome on verbal memory (r=0.25, p=0.03).

Conclusion

Repeated EPO infusions had no cumulative effect on body composition in this cohort of patients with affective disorders, however, EPO modulated HbA1c and fasting glucose and this was associated with patients’ improvement of verbal memory.

Keywords

body compositioncognitionerythropoietinglucosemood disorders
Type
Original Article
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 30 , Issue 6 , December 2018 , pp. 342 - 349
Copyright
© Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2018 

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