Abstract: Objective To observe the efficacy of the long- acting erythropoietin (Maxim Luo) and the short- acting erythropoietin β (LUO Man) in the treatment of anemia in maintenance hemodialysis patients, and to evaluate and compare the safety and tolerability between the two preparations. Method We recruited the hemodialysis patients who met the inclusion criteria and were treated in the Blood Purification Center of Guangdong General Hospital during the period from February 2008 to May 2010. They were randomly divided into two groups, the long-acting group, in which patients were intravenously administrated with Maxim Lo beginning from 0.4 μg/kg and once every two weeks, and the short acting group, in which patients were intravenously administrated with LUO Man 40 IU/kg three times a week. The study lasted for 55 weeks, including screening period for 2 weeks, correction period for 16 weeks, evaluation period for 8 weeks, and extension period for 28 weeks. The last follow-up was conducted at the 53th week. Hemoglobin concentration difference, hemoglobin response rate, and hemoglobin concentration change against basal value were evaluated at the 24th week, and safety and tolerability were compared between the 2 groups at the 53th week. Results Twenty- two patients (11 cases in each group) were enrolled in this study. The response rate to the treatment was 82% (9/11) in both groups. Hemoglobin change at the 24th week was statistically insignificant between the two groups. Hemoglobin response rate at the 53th week was 81% (19/22) in the 22 patients, with the rate of 72% (8/11) in long acting group and 100% (11/11) in short acting group. Analysis of variance to the repeated measurements showed that hemoglobin concentration change and adverse events were statistically insignificant between the two groups. Conclusion The therapeutic effect was similar between long-acting erythropoietin and short-acting erythropoietin β. Both preparations are well tolerated and effective for erythropoiesis. Either long-acting or short-acting erythropoietin can be used clinically according to patient’s situation.

Key words: Long-acting, Short-acting, Erythropoietin, Hemoglobin, Hemodialysis