What is erythropoietin (EPO)?
EPO is a naturally occurring hormone produced by cells in the kidneys that regulate the production of red blood cells in bone marrow. These kidney cells are sensitive to low blood oxygen content and will release EPO when oxygen is low. EPO stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells (to increase the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood). Artificial EPO (r-HuEPO) was designed in 1989 to help people with kidney diseases that were chronically anaemic. r-HuEPO clearly enhanced aerobic capacity in these patients. Since then it has been used to help treat people with cancer and HIV patients who are undergoing debilitating AZT treatment. Unlike other performance and image enhancing drugs (PIEDs), r-HuEPO is injected intravenously or subcutaneously. It is illegal to use EPO without a prescription in all parts of Australia. Use of EPO for nonmedical purposes is banned under the Olympic Movement’s World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited Classes of Substances and Prohibited Methods. Unl
