In order to render dialysis therapy more comfortable and efficient, not only permeability of membranes for various solutes and fluid but also biocompatibility of membranes should be taken into consideration. Through our measurement of permeability and changes in serum concentration of β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) and myoglobin (Mb) in two patients undergoing HF with PMMA (Bl-L) and PAN (RP-6, PAN-15) hemofilters and HD with cellulosic dialyzers, we found that serum β2-MG and Mb changed differently depending on the kind of membranes during both intra- and inter-dialytic period. We also observed behavior of immunoglobulin and complement during treatment. Data obtained, thus far suggest that in some patients generation of β2-MG, Mb, IgG or IgA can be increased by use of some kind of membranes (i. e., β2-MG, Mb by PAN-15) and that β2-MG and Mb can be used not only as a model substance of middle molecules but also as an indicator of biocompatibility of membranes.
