Improved lymphocyte transformation in vitro of patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

In vitro lymphoblastic transformation and sensitivity to methylprednisolone (MP) was studied in lymphocyte cultures obtained from patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), on haemodialysis (HD) and control subjects. The PHA and Con A responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and T cells were identical in CAPD and control cultures, and in both significantly higher than in HD cultures (p less than 0.05). Both PBL and T cells from CAPD and control cultures were more resistant to the suppressive effects of MP than those from HD cultures. There was no relation between the duration of the dialysis period and the lymphocyte mitogen response in HD patients. Enhanced in vitro cell transformation and resistance to steroids during CAPD treatment may reflect an improved form of dialysis of importance for the general immune defence of the uraemic patient.