title: Serum beta2-microglobulin in hemodialyzed patients.
abstract: beta2-Microglobulin (beta2-M) concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in 63 patients treated with maintenance hemodialysis. Serum levels ranged from 12.5 to 92 microgram/ml and were found stable upon sequential measurements over a 6-month period. Excretion of beta2-M was achieved through urinary loss (up to 150 mg/day) and to a lesser extent by ultrafiltration across acrylopolynitrile but not cellophane dialysis membranes. Proximal tubular cells being the major site of beta2-M catabolism, stable levels in anephric patients indicated a defective production of beta2-M in uremic patients. Serum beta2-M levels were not correlated with predialysis urea, creatinine, hematocrit or middle molecule material. In vitro experiments do not support a possible toxicity of purified beta2-M but do not rule out the contribution of other low molecular weight proteins to uremic toxicity.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001609:Beta-Globulins / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000097:blood; D014511:Uremia / Q000097:blood; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001609:Beta-Globulins; D014118:Toxins, Biological; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin