REMOVAL OF BILE-ACIDS AND BILIRUBIN BY PLASMAPERFUSION OF USP CHARCOAL-COATED GLASS-BEADS

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  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 94  (4) , 585-592
Abstract
Removal of protein-bound cholephilic substances such as BA [bile acids] by sorbent perfusion might improve the quality of life of patients with severe inoperable cholestasis where the accumulation of BA may be responsible for the often distressing pruritus. Since hemoperfusion is associated with hematological side effects, plasma-perfusion which allows the use of novel, possibly more efficient sorbents, might be preferable, provided a substance with a high affinity for these protein-bound anions could be found. Numerous sorbents suitable for plasma-perfusion were tested in vitro as to their BA-adsorbing capacity. USP charcoal coated onto glass beads to facilitate perfusion removed BA from human plasma far better than conventional charcoal suitable for hemoperfusion, charged and uncharged resins, and immobilized albumin. The extraction of BA by the coated glass beads exceeded 90% up to a load of 0.18 .mu.mol BA/ml of sorbent, and the BA-adsorbing capacity was 20.8 .mu.mol/ml. The USP charcoal columns almost quantitatively removed uric acid, creatinine and corticosteroids and retained substantial amounts of BR [bilirubin] and thyroxine; electrolytes, clotting factors and plasma-proteins were adsorbed only initially.