Ultrapure Dialysate Reduces Plasma Levels of β2-Microglobulin and Pentosidine in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Background: β₂-Microglobulin (β₂MG) and carbonyl stress are reported to contribute to the development of dialysis-related amyloidosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether the purity of dialysate affects plasma levels of β₂MG and pentosidine (a surrogate marker of carbonyl stress) in hemodialysis patients. Methods: Sixteen patients on hemodialysis with a polysulfone membrane participated in this study. We switched the dialysate from conventional dialysate (endotoxin level 0.055–0.066 endotoxin units (EU)/ml) to ultrapure dialysate (endotoxin level <0.001 EU/ml), followed patients for 6 months, and then switched back to conventional dialysate once again. Plasma levels of β₂MG, pentosidine, CRP and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined before the switch to ultrapure dialysate, 1 and 6 months after the switch to ultrapure dialysate, and 1 month after the switch back to conventional dialysate. Results: The switch from conventional to ultrapure dialysate significantly decreased plasma levels of β₂MG, from 30.1 ± 1.4 to 27.1 ± 1.4 mg/dl (p < 0.05) and pentosidine, from 1,535.8 ± 107.5 to 1,267.6 ± 102.9 nmol/l (p < 0.01) after 1 month of use. The change of dialysate also significantly decreased plasma levels of CRP, from 0.28 ± 0.09 to 0.14 ± 0.05 mg/dl (p < 0.05) and IL-6, from 9.4 ± 2.7 to 3.5 ± 0.8 pg/ml (p < 0.01) over the 1-month period. These changes in plasma levels of β₂MG, pentosidine, CRP and IL-6 were maintained over 6 months after switching to ultrapure dialysate and returned to basal levels by switching back to a conventional dialysate. Conclusions: Ultrapure dialysate decreases plasma levels of β₂MG, pentosidine and inflammatory markers in hemodialysis patients. The use of ultrapure dialysate might be useful in preventing and/or treating complications of dialysis, such as dialysis-related amyloidosis, atherosclerosis and malnutrition.