EPO

Erythropoietin


What is erythropoietin?

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a hormone produced by the kidney that promotes the formation of red blood cells by the bone marrow.

The kidney cells that make EPO are specialized so that they are sensitive to low oxygen levels in the blood coming into the kidney. These cells make and release EPO when the oxygen level is too low.

Chemically, what is erythropoietin (EPO)?

EPO is a protein with an attached sugar (a glycoprotein). It is one of a number of similar glycoproteins that serve as stimulants for the growth of specific types of blood cells in the bone marrow.

What exactly does erythropoietin (EPO) do?

Erythropoietin stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells. The resultant rise in red cells increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

As the prime regulator of red cell production, EPO's major functions are to:

1. Promote the development of red blood cells.
2. Initiate the synthesis of hemoglobin, the molecule within red cells that transports oxygen


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Erythropoietin (EPO): A hormone produced by the kidney that promotes the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow. EPO is a glycoprotein (a protein with a sugar attached to it). Human EPO has a molecular weight of 34,000.

The kidney cells that make EPO are specialized and are sensitive to low oxygen levels in the blood. These cells release EPO when the oxygen level is low in the kidney. EPO then stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red cells and thereby increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

EPO is the prime regulator of red blood cell production. Its major functions are to promote the differentiation and development of red blood cells and to initiate the production of hemoglobin, the molecule within red cells that transports oxygen.

The EPO gene has been found on human chromosome 7 (in band 7q21). EPO is produced not only in the kidney but also, to a lesser extent, in the liver. Different DNA sequences flanking the EPO gene act to control kidney versus liver production of EPO.

The measurement of EPO in the blood is useful in the study of bone marrow disorders and kidney disease. Normal levels of EPO are 0 to 19 mU/ml (milliunits per milliliter). Elevated levels of EPO can be seen in polycythemia, a disorder in which there is an excess of red blood cells. Lower than normal levels of EPO are seen in chronic renal failure.

Using recombinant DNA technology, EPO has been synthetically produced for use in persons with certain types of anemia -- such as anemia due to kidney failure, anemia secondary to AZT treatment of AIDS , and anemia associated with cancer.

EPO has been much misused as a performance-enhancing drug in endurance athletes including some cyclists (in the Tour de France), long-distance runners, speed skaters, and Nordic (cross-country) skiers. When misused in such situations, EPO is thought to be especially dangerous (perhaps because dehydration can further increase the viscosity of the blood, increasing the risk for heart attacks and strokes. EPO has been banned by the Tour de France, the Olympics, and other sports organizations.

Deca and anavar also do a good job of stimulating red blood cell count.......Mine was sky high during my var only stint. Increased red blood cells can cuase platelets to clump together and thats what causes heart attacks and strokes as mentioned above......

I found a simple remedy. Donate blood once a month.

i thought it was eq and not deca that did that...i may be wrong

Yea EQ as well.

Yeah, cyclists who do EPO are crazy, i know a few and when they get cut its like jelly. Def walking a fine line, i dont see the need for it in our sport but i do in others.

:satan: Ya Drol increases red blood cells also if i remember correctly. And eventually they will be able to permanetly modify how much EPO the body produces, I was reading this in Muscular Development. So they will use a harmless virus to smuggle in a new gene that will cause your body to produce more red blood cells, and then another virus will be used to turn the production off. This is also going to be possible with Myostatin, growth hormone, IGF-1 and testosterone, the future is definetly going to be where it's at for bodybuilders.

The female winner of the Ironman competition tested positive for EPO and her 1st place finish was revoked. That sucks for her cuz it took her over 9 hours to finish the race, and not to mention all of the training that was involved.

I think it's a good way to improve your endurance, but it's very risky, riskier than using gear which in my opinion would have less sides than EPO, slin, and others combined,....I would stick to EQ, B-12, Drol,..

Chaps said:

:satan: Ya Drol increases red blood cells also if i remember correctly. And eventually they will be able to permanetly modify how much EPO the body produces, I was reading this in Muscular Development. So they will use a harmless virus to smuggle in a new gene that will cause your body to produce more red blood cells, and then another virus will be used to turn the production off. This is also going to be possible with Myostatin, growth hormone, IGF-1 and testosterone, the future is definetly going to be where it's at for bodybuilders.

Click to expand...

Thats awesome shit........." A harmless virus".....scary at the same time.

Gene doping baby that's what it's called,and they are already doing it in Europe! Imagine being able to turn your myostatin gene on and off with an injection, I"M DOWN! lol

EPO and steroids can cause polycythemia. Look it up. Always wise to donate blood to help keep red blood cell count in check. There is such a thing as steroid induced polycythemia. Look it up.

what are the symtoms of high red blood cells? dizzy or what?

Platelet clumping-------fatigue-----heart attack.