Anaphylatoxin C5a Generation and Dialysis-Induced Leukopenia with Different Hemodialyzer Membranes

Abstract
Leukocyte counts and plasma C5a anaphylatoxin levels were studied during hemodialysis in patients using Cuprophan, polycarbonate and polyacrylonitrile membrane dialyzers. Cuprophan induced a marked leukopenia with significant plasma C5a generation. Polycarbonate promoted the same trend of changes in both parameters but significantly less pronounced, while polyacrylonitrile did not affect leukocyte counts nor plasma C5a levels. These data suggest that complement-derived C5a generation may be an important factor in the mechanism of hemodialysis-induced leukopenia.

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