Abstract
To optimize PMMA membranes for β2-MG removal and to estimate the clinical removal of β2-MG, in vitro 4hr perfusion studies were carried out, using pooled plasma from dialysis patients, on PMMA hollow fiber mini-modules of various ultrafiltration coefficient (UFR). Contrary to that the amount of dialyzed β2-MG increased according to the increase of UFR, there was a maximum range of ca. 100mg/m2 at UFR through 30 to 50ml/hr·mmHg·m2 for that of adsorbed β2-MG. From these results, estimated removal of β2-MG for modules of 1.0, 1.6, 2.1m2 were 120, 190, 250mg, respectively. From considerations on the conditions of the experiment and the preliminary data on the amount of washed-out β2-MG from clinically used modulues, the results obtained by in vitro studies roughly simulate the clinical β2-MG removal.
