Erythropoietin?

Question

What are the disadvantages and advantages of being able to artificially increase EPO levels in blood?

Simple detail are fine, for example an increase in EPO increases RBC count and therefore ability to carry oxygen (which is beneficial for athletes I presume).
This is only for a first year anatomy course, so examples like the ones above (simplistic) are best. However, if you have any other details, feel happy to share since I am interested nevertheless.

Anatomy and physiology**

How can you die from blood doping?

Thankyou, Aseel, for quoting directly from wikipedia! Unfortunately I've already looked there:(

Answer 1

Increased EPO levels in blood means increased red blood cell production.

This is generally beneficial if used to treat anaemia, particularly anaemia associated with renal failure (and hence decreased EPO production).

In normal subjects, increased red cell production could cause polycythaemia with attendant risks: blood clots (DVT/PE), strokes, kidney failure...

Additionally there is the (incredibly rare) chance of allergic response. Unlikely to be true allergy to the erythropoietin, it may well be a reaction to some of the preservative or other materials incorporated in the administered formulation.

Just recently (March '07) there has been an FDA public health release about EPO increasing tumour sizes!

Answer 2

Erythropoietin:
EPO is a glycoprotein hormone that is a cytokine for erythrocyte (red blood cell) precursors in the bone marrow. Also called hematopoietin or hemopoietin, it is produced by the kidney, and is the hormone regulating red blood cell production. Erythropoietin is available as a therapeutic agent produced by recombinant DNA technology in mammalian cell culture. It is used in treating anemia resulting from chronic renal failure or from cancer chemotherapy. Its use is also believed to be common as a blood doping agent in endurance sports such as bicycle racing, triathlons and marathon running.
Erythropoietin is associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular complications if it is used to increase hemoglobin levels above 13.0 g/dl.

Answer 3

blood doping = blood dope-ing, as in using drugs, slang word "dope", to enhance your athletic performance, giving you an advantage over others, think steroid controversy in athletics. Illegal, against drug policy, or just unfair??? And wasn't Lance Armstrong accused of using epo? The health/ death risks associated with too many RBC's can be stroke, MI, impaired circulation, think thick blood....

Answer 4

in addition to the above, there's also now circumstantial evidence that patients with cancers may do worse if they're given EPO. perhaps the EPO stimulates the cancer cells to grow as well.