Abstract
In order to assess the toxicity of the potting material of dialyzers, the effect of extracts of potting materials on DNA synthesis of PHA-activated human lymphocytes was studied.DNA synthesis of lymphocytes was inhibited by addition of ethanol and serum extracts of one type of potting material to the culture.The saline and serum extracts of another type of potting material also caused inhibition of DNA synthesis. The extract of the gamma ray-irradiated potting material of the latter type showed a weaker inhibitory effect than that of the non-irradiated material.The inhibition induced by the extract of an ethylene oxide gas treated material of the former type was slightly stronger than that induced by the extract of the nontreated material. The inhibitory factors originating in the potting materials could be at least part of the cause of the immunosuppressive state of dialysis patients.
