Biocompatibility of a new high-permeability modified cellulose membrane for haemodialysis

The biocompatibility and solute permeability characteristics of a high-permeability modified cellulose membrane (Hemophan-HP) (He-HP) were compared with those of two synthetic membranes (poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVAL) and poly(acrylonitrile-co-sodium methallyl sulphonate) (AN69)) and Cuprophan in a multicentre, four-way cross-over clinical trial. Cuprophan membranes caused significant complement activation, leukopenia, and granulocyte elastase release. He-HP membranes demonstrated a lesser effect, which was similar to that observed for the EVAL membrane, although less than that seen with the AN69 membrane. A similar order for the four membranes was seen for their effect on platelets. Cuprophan membranes provided superior small-molecule removal to the other three membranes. In contrast, Cuprophan was essentially impermeable to beta 2-microglobulin, whereas He-HP, EVAL, and AN69 allowed the removal of 60-90 mg of beta 2-microglobulin per treatment. However, a decrease in the plasma concentration of beta 2-microglobulin was observed only with the AN69 membrane, most probably as a result of the ability of that membrane to adsorb proteins. Our results demonstrate that high-permeability membranes of comparable biocompatibility to some synthetic membranes can be fabricated from cellulose derivatives.