RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Haemodialysis (HD) exacerbates oxidative stress (OS). The polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA)-BK-F membrane ameliorates OS and inflammation markers compared to polyacrylonitrile (PAN/AN69) and cellulose membranes. This may be due to the size of pore radius, high flux or other specific properties of PMMA membranes. AIM: To compare OS and inflammatory status in HD-treated end stage renal disease patients with membranes of different pore size radius and flux. METHODS: 47 patients of both sexes were studied. The HD membranes with which the patients were normally treated were changed to BK-P or B-3 membranes for 6 months. Intracellular and extracellular components of the oxidant-antioxidant balance (OAB), C-reactive protein (CRP), beta2-micro-globulin (beta2mu-globulin), albumin and transferrin were measured. RESULTS: A significant decrease in red cell membrane thiobarbituric acid reacting substances and an increase in cytosolic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and plasma total antioxidant substances were observed in all patients after 6 months of treatment with BK-P and B-3 membranes except SOD and CRP in patients previously dialysed with triacetate cellulose membranes. Albumin and transferrin remained unmodified. beta2mu-globulin significantly decreased after treatment with PMMA membranes. CONCLUSION: BK-P and B-3 HD membranes improved the OAB, beta2mu-globulin and CRP compared to PAN/AN69 and cellulose diacetate membranes.