Objective   To explore the effect of uremic serum on apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the intervention by recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) in this process.    Methods   From Dec. 2008 to Apr. 2009

10 uremic patients and 10 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. HUVECs were divided into 3 groups: control group (including 10% healthy serum medium)

uremic group (including 10% uremic serum medium) and rhEPO treatment group (rhEPO at 5

10 or 15 U/ml was added to 10% uremic serum medium). After 24 hous’s intervention

cell apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL assay

and reactive oxygen species were detected by colorimetry.    Results   HUVECs apoptosis index and ROS level were higher in the presence of uremic serum than those of healthy serum (P0.01). With the addition of rhEPO (5

10 or 15 U/ml) in culture medium

the percentage of apoptotic cells and the production of ROS in HUVECs were inhibited (P0.01). With rhEPO concentration increasing

apoptotic index and ROS level were decreasing gradually (P0.05). Correlation analysis showed that there was positive correlation between apoptotic index and ROS level (r=0.89

P0.01).    Conclusion   Uremic serum can induce HUVECs apoptosis

and the mechanism may be related to oxidative stress. Recombinant human EPO may inhibit endothelial cell apoptosis induced by uremic serum through alleviating oxidative stress.