Impaired lymphocyte function and neutrophil damage during the first hours of hemodialysis

Tests of T lymphocyte function, as lymphocyte stimulation by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con A), decreased during the first 2 hours of dialysis to approximately 20% of the predialysis value but returned to near normal within 4 hr. No change in the percentage of T cells was noted. Lymphocyte function in blood obtained from the arterial side fo the dialyzer 1 hour after the start of dialysis was better than that in blood from the venous side, though lower than before dialysis. Neutrophils in blood from the venous side of the dialyzer showed decreased density and decreased carbonyl iron phagocytosis. These changes were not found in blood from the arterial side of the dialyzer, suggesting that damaged neutrophils were retained in the patient. Neutrophil damage persisted during the first 4 hours of hemodialysis.