NaHCO3 and NaCl tolerance in chronic renal failure II.

In patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) (CCr less than 20 ml/min), we have previously demonstrated greater rates of Na excretion (ex) when Na intake was nearly all NaHCO3 as compared to NaCl (both 200 mEq Na daily). Chloride (Cl) wasting on NaHCO3 (with severe Cl restriction) occurred, however, and may in part explain the results. To avoid Cl restriction in 6 patients with CRF (CCr 10-15 ml/min) on an estimated 10 mEq Na and Cl diet, electrolyte ex was compared on NaCl supplements of 200 mEq/day versus a daily mixture of NaHCO3 (100mEq) and NaCl (100 mEq).

Antibodies to nuclear antigens in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis.

Free nuclei of damaged leukocytes adhere to hemodialysis membranes. To see if the incidence of antibodies to nuclear antigens is increased in patients receiving hemodialysis, serums from 77 patients undergoing long-term dialysis for one to 66 months were assayed for antibodies to extractable nuclear antigen and native deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by hemagglutination technics. Serums from 300 other hospital patients (who did not have diseases known to be associated with antibodies to nuclear antigens) were assayed concurrently.

Detrimental effects of ultrafiltration on diffusion in coils.

Previous studies in dialysis coils have suggested decreases in diffusive transport with ultrafiltration. The present studies were designed to test whether increasing blood channel width, alterations in concentration gradients, or molecular sieving at high ultrafiltration rates might explain the phenomenon. Increases in blood channel width and molecular sieving can account only in part for the decreases in diffusion observed.