Elimination of Low Molecular Weight Proteins During Hemofiltration

In patients on regular dialysis treatment, uremic symptoms (anemia, osteopathy, myopathy, neuropathy, and disorders of carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism) may be partly due to an accumulation of low molecular weight (MW) proteins (10,000 to 60,000 daltons). We tested this hypothesis using membranes with a higher permeability than conventional Cuprophan membranes. The primary aim of the study was to test the cutoff of various hemofilters (Cuprophan [Highflux], polyamide [FH 20], cellulose acetate [Duof lux], and polyacry-lonitrile [Hospal RP 7 + 8 and Asahi PAN]) under in vivo conditions. In addition the effects of hemofiltration on plasma low molecular weight protein concentrations, polyneuropathy, and autonomic insufficiency were also tested in a long-term (six-month) study using the membrane with the highest cutoff and most constant sieving coefficient, i.e., Highflux. Low MW proteins with a defined MW were used as marker substances. Sieving coefficients of β2-microglobulin, lysozyme, retinol-binding protein, α1-glycoprotein, α1-antitrypsin, prealbumin, albumin, and transferrin were determined during a four-hour hemofiltration (20 L ultrafiltrate). Proteins were analyzed using an immunodiffusion technique. In the long-term study, motor nerve conduction velocity, the Schellong test, and Valsalva maneuver were tested prior to and three and six months after hemofiltration therapy. Highflux, Duoflux, and FH 202 membranes were permeable to proteins with molecular weights up to 15,000 daltons, and the Highflux module had the most constant sieving coefficient during hemofiltration. In the six-month hemofiltration study with the Highflux filter, plasma β2-microglobulin and lysozyme decreased significantly as expected. Parameters of polyneuropathy and autonomic insufficiency were slightly improved.