DAILY EXPOSURE TO DIALYSIS FLUID RESULTS IN CHANGES IN PERITONEAL TRANSPORT

Objective: To study the effects of daily infusion of peritoneal dialys is fluids on peritoneal transport characteristics. Design: Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into three groups: group A, daily infusion s of 20 mL 3.86% glucose dialysis solution for 10 days (8 rats); group B, daily infusions of 1.36% glucose dialysis solution for 10 days (8 rats); group C, no daily infusion, the control group (8 rats). Twenty- four hours after the last infusion, a 4-hour dwell study using 25 mL 3 .86% glucose dialysis solution with frequent dialysate and blood sampl es was performed in each rat. Radio-labeled human albumin (RISA) was a dded to the solution as an intraperitoneal volume marker. Experimental animals: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats (300 g) were used. Main outcome: Fluid and small solute (glucose, urea, sodium, potassium, ph osphate, and urate) transport characteristics were evaluated. Results: After 10 days of exposure to dialysis fluid, the fluid absorption rat e increased in the 3.86% dialysate group compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). The clearance of RISA to plasma (an estimation of lymphati c absorption), and the absorption of glucose were significantly increa sed in the two experimental groups compared to the control group but t here was no difference between the two experimental groups. The dialys ate/plasma ratio for urea, potassium and urate, and the sieving coeffi cient for phosphate and urate were significantly higher in the 3.86% d ialysate group compared to the other two groups, but there was no sign ificant difference between the 1.36% dialysate group and the control g roup. The clearances of sodium and potassium were significantly lower in the 3.86% dialysate group compared to the control group. Conclusion : Our results suggest that (1) daily infusion of dialysis fluid into t he peritoneal cavity may increase peritoneal lymphatic absorption; (2) daily infusion of 3.86% glucose dialysate may increase peritoneal tra nsport for small solutes.