Effects of erythropoietin on cardiac morphometry in exercised male and female adolescent rats

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone predominantly produced in the kidneys, primarily stimulating erythroid cell proliferation in the bone marrow. The present study investigated the impact of EPO combined with swimming exercise on cardiac morphometry in adolescent male and female rats. The 4-week study involved 48 rats (24 males and 24 females), which were divided into four main groups of six males and six females each. The control group was administered intraperitoneal saline four times a week. The swimming exercise group also received intraperitoneal saline, followed by 30 min of swimming exercise, four times a week. The drug control group was given 50.00 IU kg-1 epoetin alfa intraperitoneally, four times a week. Lastly, the Swimming + Drug group received 50.00 IU kg-1 epoetin alfa intraperitoneally, four times a week, followed by 30 min of swimming exercise. The post-study measurements demonstrated that EPO administration did not result in notable alterations in crucial parameters, including the left ventricular mass index, left ventricular mass, and left ventricular posterior wall in the context of left ventricular hypertrophy in both genders. However, in female rats, EPO-only group and the combined EPO and exercise group showed significant thinning of the right ventricular wall and interventricular septum indicating potential cardiac dilatation. The results highlight the necessity of considering gender-specific responses when evaluating EPO's cardiovascular effects, particularly concerning the right ventricle, and suggest further investigation into the long-term consequences of these observed changes.