EPO and metabolic disease: Interestingly, previous studies conducted in HEK-293 reported a protective role of SGK-1 against apoptosis induced by hypoxic renal injury,38 suggesting that one of the possible mechanisms linked SGK-1 protection versus ischaemia is modulation of erythropoietin production.39 We used C2-ceramide and TNF-α as a model of injury more related to metabolic disorders.