Haemodialysis with the biocompatible high permeability AN-69 membrane doesnot alter plasma insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3

Background. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) bioactivity has been repor ted to be decreased in maintenance haemodialysis patients and this may affe ct their nutritional status. Clearances of IGF-I and its binding proteins ( IGFBPs) during haemodialysis sessions using a high permeability biocompatib le membrane are unknown. Methods. Five well nourished, non-diabetic adult patients were studied duri ng one 4-h morning haemodialysis treatment using the high permeability bioc ompatible AN-69 dialyser. Blood was collected at the arterial and venous po rts of the dialyser at 0, 1, 2 and 4 h of dialysis for haematocrit, plasma IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and insulin measurements. IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and insulin concent rations were adjusted for haemoconcentration before comparisons were made. Results. At the beginning of the dialysis session, plasma IGF-I, IGFBP-3 an d insulin levels were within the normal range (297 +/- 47 ng/ml (mean +/- S EM), 4.3 +/- 0.6 mug/ml and 11.8 +/- 3.4 mu IU/ml, respectively). During th e session, insulin tended to be cleared through the dialyser, whereas plasm a IGF-I and IGFBP-3 values did not vary significantly. Conclusion. Dialysis with the high permeability AN69 membrane did not alter the main blood compounds of the IGF system in well nourished chronic haemo dialysis patients, and it is unlikely that the malnutrition frequently obse rved in such patients would result from alterations of the IGF system durin g haemodialysis.