Abstract
The efficacy of polysulfone membrane dialyzers (PS) in removing β2-MG and small molecular weight substances such as P, UN, creatinine from the bloods of long-term maintenance dialyzed patients was evaluated in comparison with those of cellurose and other artificial membrane dialyzers. The results were as follows (1) The removal rate and amount ofβ2-MG by PS were significantly higher than those by control membrane dialyzers, 55.8±9.9% and 207±57.0mg, respectively. In addition the removal rate and amount of P by PS were also significantly higher than those by control membrane dialyzers, 65.2±8.6% and 768±70mg, respectively, although there were no differences among all dialyzers in removing UN and creatinine. There also was no detectable leakage of albumin by PS. (2) In 12 patients with high blood levels ofβ2-MG, the long-term use of PS for 28 weeks reduced blood levels ofβ2-MG from 40.9±3.2mg/l to 27.2±3.1mg/l, thereafter they remained around 30mg/l. The blood levels of small molecular weight substances were unchanged. These results clearly indicate that PS membrane dialyzers might be useful in the removal ofβ2-MG for short periods of time.
