[Evaluation of the biocompatibility of a new cellulose membrane by studying the complement system and histamine...

This biocompatibility of the new cellulosic membrane hemophane (HE) is compared to that of cuprophane (CU) in ten maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients dialyzed on the two types of membranes in randomized order, under otherwise similar technical conditions. Total white blood cell (WBC) and differential counts, blood concentrations of C3a, and C3d and histamine are determined at start of dialysis (TO) and 10, 20 and 180 minutes thereafter. HE is distinct from CU in exerting a minor effect on the generation of C3a, a minor drop of leucocytes during the course of dialysis (P less than 0.01) and also by a lesser increase in blood histamine concentration (P less than 0.05). Histamine liberation is observed on CU together with the generation of anaphylotoxin C3 and with a diminution of circulating basopolymorpho-nuclear cells. According to the variations observed for these three parameters (C3a, leucocytosis and blood histamine concentration), HE appears as being more biocompatible than CU.