Effect of vitamin E-bonded dialyzer on eosinophilia in haemodialysis patients.
BACKGROUND
Eosinophilia in haemodialysis patients probably results from allergy to haemodialysis-related materials, including dialyzer membranes. We examined the effects of vitamin E-bonded dialyzers on eosinophil counts in haemodialysis patients.


METHODS
We enrolled seven patients who were on regular haemodialysis and had sustained eosinophilia. White blood cell, eosinophil, CD4- and CD8-positive lymphocyte counts, and serum interleukin-5 (IL-5) and IgE levels were determined before, 2 and 4 weeks after switching to vitamin E-bonded dialyzers.


RESULTS
Eosinophil and CD4-positive lymphocyte counts and serum IL-5 were significantly (P = 0.003, 0.003 and 0.031, respectively) decreased after switching to vitamin E-bonded dialyzers. CD8-positive lymphocyte counts and serum IgE levels were unaltered. Crossover tests in two cases reproduced the higher eosinophilia within 4 weeks after returning to the original non-vitamin E-bonded dialyzer.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitamin E-bonded dialyzers may ameliorate eosinophilia through a mechanism mediated by a decrease in IL-5 secretion by CD4-positive lymphocytes.
Kojima
Kenichiro
K
Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine, 2-11-1 Kaga, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-8605, Japan. kojima@med.teikyo-u.ac.jp
Oda
Kuniyoshi
K
Homma
Hitoshi
H
Takahashi
Kazushi
K
Kanda
Yoshiko
Y
Inokami
Taketoshi
T
Uchida
Shunya
S
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015314:Dialysis Solutions; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004804:Eosinophils; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000097:blood; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000494:pharmacology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015314:Dialysis Solutions; D015848:Interleukin-5; D014807:Vitamin D; D007073:Immunoglobulin E