Activation of Leukotriene B₄ (LTB₄) in Hemodialysis

Abstract

Serum LTB₄ levels, the activation of LTB₄ during hemodialysis, and the corelation between activated LTB₄ and leukocyte counts were examined for hemodialysis patients.
Serum LTB₄ levels did not differ from those of the normal control. No corelation was observed between LTB₄ activation and dialysis membrane employed.
However, relatively stronger activation was found in PMMA membrane than in regenerated cellurose membrane. In each membrane, transient leukopenia was severer in patients with higher activation of LTB₄.