Ribonuclease activity in renal failure: evidence for toxicity

The normal level of serum or plasma poly C-avid ribonuclease activity is 1047 +/- 247 U/mL. Serum levels increase proportionately with elevations in serum creatinine, reaching levels of 9,500-35,000 in patients undergoing dialysis. The levels can be normalised by successful renal transplantation but not by dialysis. Purified human urinary ribonuclease, a glycoprotein enzyme similar to the serum ribonuclease, was capable of: 1) inhibiting the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes; 2) inhibiting the proliferation and growth of bone marrow red cell colonies; and 3) adversely affecting the growth and viability of precursor fat cells.