Isoproterenol enhancement of peritoneal permeability

As peritoneal dialysis is inefficient enouth to be time-consuming and sometimes clinically ineffective, we have evaluated pharmacologic enhancement of peritoneal permeability. Peritoneal dialyses were performed in New Zealand white rabbits by instillation of 50 ml/Kg of isotonic dialysis solution of standard composition. Mean peritoneal clearance of creatinine was 0.60 ml/Kg/min and urea was 0.80 ml/Kg/min, each decreasing as intraperitoneal dwell was prolonged (by .011 ml/Kg/min or less). With 0.04 micrometer/Kg of isoproterenol administered intraperitoneally, clearances increased to 0.91 and 1.30 ml/Kg/min (p less than 0.01). When isoproterenol was added to the dialysis solution one hour or more before instillation, the increment in clearances was less. Instillation of dialysis solution 24 hours after addition of a higher dose of isoproterenol (0.2 micrometer/Kg) did not increase clearances above control. No effect of isoproterenol on bulk flow of water, associated with the osmotic effect of dextrose, was demonstrated. As peritoneal clearances increased, the ratio creatinine clearance: urea clearance did not decrease, consistent with increased peritoneal permeability as well as blood flow.