['Erythropoietin (Epo) exerts direct effects on white adipose tissue (WAT) in mice in addition to its erythropoietic effects, and in humans Epo increases resting energy expenditure and affect serum lipid levels, but direct effects of Epo in human WAT have not been documented. We therefore investigated the effects of acute and prolonged Epo exposure on human WAT in vivo.', 'Data were obtained from two clinical trials: 1) acute Epo exposure (rHuEpo, 400\xa0IU/kg) followed by WAT biopsies after 1\xa0h and 2) 10\xa0weeks treatment with the erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) Darbepoietin-alpha. Biopsies were analyzed by PCR for Epo receptor (Epo-R) mRNA. A new and highly specific antibody (A82, Amgen) was used to evaluate the presence of Epo-R by western blot analysis in addition to Epo-R signaling proteins (Akt, STAT5, p70s6k, LYN, and p38MAPK), activation of lipolytic pathways (ATGL, HSL, CGI-58, G0S2, Perilipin, Cidea, Cidec, AMPK, and ACC), and mitochondrial biogenesis (VDAC, HSP90, PDH, and SDHA).', 'No evidence of in vivo activation of the Epo-R in WAT could be documented despite detectable levels of Epo-R mRNA.'] Does erythropoietin activate erythropoietin receptor signaling or lipolytic pathways in human subcutaneous white adipose tissue in vivo?