Albumin-based solutions for peritoneal dialysis: investigations with a rat model

To evaluate albumin, an osmotic agent for peritoneal dialysis, the peritoneal fluid and solute transport were investigated during a 4-h single cycle peritoneal dialysis with albumin-based dialysis solutions. Two different albumin solutions were used in 15 normal Sprague-Dawley rats: isotonic 7.5% albumin solution (ADS 1, n = 7) and a combined 7.5% albumin and 1.35% glucose solution (ADS 2; n = 8). A standard 1.36% Dianeal solution was used to provide control values (n = 6). The rate of the intraperitoneal volume change (Qv) was positive during the initial 90 min with ADS 2 and during the initial 60 min with Dianeal 1.36% solution but negative with ADS 1. The peritoneal bulk flow reabsorption rate, Qa, was similar in all three groups. The estimated rate of transcapillary ultrafiltration (Qu = Qv + Qa) was positive with all three solutions throughout the dialysis. With ADS 1, Qu increased gradually during the initial 90 min and then remained stable, but it decreased with ADS 2 and Dianeal 1.36% solution. Qu with ADS 2 did not differ from that with Dianeal 1.36% solution during the initial 60 min, but it was significantly higher during the latter part of dialysis. The value of Qu during the last 2 h of dialysis was 0.026 +/- 0.010 and 0.025 +/- 0.009 ml/min with ADS 1 and ADS 2, respectively, and it was significantly higher than that with Dianeal 1.36% solution (0.005 +/- 0.007 ml/min; p < 0.017).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)