RECOVERY FROM ISCHEMIC ACUTE-RENAL-FAILURE - INDEPENDENCE FROM DIALYSIS MEMBRANE TYPE

Exposure to complement-activating cellulosic dialysis membranes has be en claimed to adversely affect the course of acute renal failure. To t est this hypothesis, male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to two gr oups: in group I, acute renal failure was induced by bilateral renal a rtery clamping, while group II animals underwent a sham procedure. In each group, the rats were further allocated to undergo hemodialysis wi th either a Cuprophan, a Hemophan, or a PAN miniDialyzer membrane 3 an d 7 days after surgery or no dialysis. The renal function was measured by inulin clearance on the days following dialysis. Temporary occlusi on of the renal arteries led to a rapid increase in serum urea and cre atinine levels that peaked between 24 and 48 h after surgery and decli ned slowly thereafter. Peak urea values were similar in the acute rena l failure groups. The hemodialysis sessions were well tolerated. Degre e and rate of recovery were similar in all acute renal failure groups irrespective of whether they underwent dialysis or not or the type of the dialysis membrane. Complete recovery was observed in all the acute renal failure groups by the end of the observation period. Our findin gs refute the hypothesis that in ischemic acute renal failure exposure to complement-activating cellulosic dialysis membranes impairs the re covery of renal function.