Comparative value of different dialysis membranes, including a carbon coated membrane for removal of noxious substances in hepatic coma.
Three dialysis membranes, including a polyacrilonitrile membrane, a polycarbonate membrane and a cuprophan membrane coated with charcoal, have been compared with cuprophan in order to assess their ability to clear from aqueous solution and plasma, substances thought to be of pathogenetic importance in hepatic coma (ammonia, short chain fatty acids and mercaptans), some protein bound (glycocholate and bromsulphthalein) and some middle molecular weight molecules (ethylenediaminetetracetic acid, cyanocobalamin and inulin). High clearance of ammonia, short chain fatty acids and mercaptans were found with membrane tested but dialysis was relatively ineffective for removal of protein bound molecules. Cyanocobalamin, glycocholate and ethanethiol were removed best by the carbon coated membrane and by combining dialysis with adsorption, this membrane may offer advantages over other treatments for liver failure.
D000042:Absorption; D000641:Ammonia; D003956:Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D006000:Glycocholic Acid; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D013448:Sulfobromophthalein
D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D013448:Sulfobromophthalein; D000641:Ammonia; D006000:Glycocholic Acid