Hemofiltration and Plasma Dopamine β-Hydroxylase Activity

Abstract

Plasma dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH) activity was studied in control patients (n = 70), in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (n = 79) and in patients on maintenance hemofiltration (n = 19). DBH activity was significantly lower in patients on hemodialysis (32.4 ± 20.6 IU) and hemofiltration (32.8 ± 29.7 IU) than in control individuals (50.0 ± 29.3 IU). Sequential measurements of DBH in patients on maintenance hemofiltration failed to show a fall of plasma DBH with time. 7 patients were studied during one session of hemodialysis and one session of hemofiltration. External fluid balance was identical. The change of DBH during hemodialysis and hemofiltration was not significantly different. Such rise of DBH as occurs may entirely be accounted for by hemoconcentration.

Effect of Haemodialysis on the Control of the Circulation in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

“…Previous studies of the effect of dialysis on plasma noradrenaline levels have produced conflicting results [1,41]. The finding of elevated plasma noradrenaline levels at rest conflicts with previous obser vations [42], The absence of an effect of haemodialysis on plasma noradrenaline in the present study suggests that sympathetic nervous activity is not impaired as a conse quence of haemodialysis and that depletion of plasma noradrenaline is unlikely to be a contributory factor to haemodialysis-induced hypotension.…”