Abstract
In order to investigate the effect of dialyzer membrane material on hemodialysis-induced leukopenia and release of granulocyte elastase, 12 patients were studied during two successive dialyses using membranes based on regenerated cellulose (RC) and cellulose acetate (CA). RC membranes induced greater and more prolonged leukopenia than did CA membranes. Release of granulocyte elastase, assessed as changes in plasma levels of elastase in complex with α1-proteinase inhibitor (E-α1-PI), increased with both membranes, but significantly more with RC membranes. The demonstrated liberation of granulocyte elastase could contribute to the deterioration of pulmonary function reported during hemodialysis. Furthermore, we suggest that measurement of E-α1-PI may be used to evaluate biocompatibility of dialyzer membranes.
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