Changes of plasma proteins after immunoadsorption using Ig-Adsopak columns in patients with myasthenia gravis

Ig-Adsopak immunoadsorption columns were used for treatment to determine their influence on the amount of immunoglobulins and other plasma proteins.

Patients with myasthenia gravis were treated, 178 immunoadsorption procedures were performed. The mean plasma volume treated in a 2-4 week interval was 3600 ml. Plasma protein concentrations were measured prior to and after each treatment. The concentration of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies was also measured.

The amounts of the IgG, IgM and IgA removed were respectively, 55.7%, 42.8% and 43.4% of the initial level whereas the other plasma proteins were found to bind with a lower affinity with only 19.8% removal. 60.9% of the anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies were removed.

Ig-Adsopak columns have a semi-specific effect on the plasma proteins, mostly on immunoglobulins of all classes.