The effects of varying dialysis regimens on lymphocyte stimulation.

A protocol was designed to alter mean time average serum concentrations of "middle" (B12) and "small" (urea) molecules. Serum before and after studies was tested for its effect on the blastogenic response to PHA. From this study we have concluded that: 1. Serum of patients on hemodialysis inhibits the mitogenic response of normal lymphocytes to PHA when compared to normal sera. 2. This phenomenon is not responsive to pertubations in dialysis designed to alter the concentration of ""middle'' and ""small'' molecules. 3. The inverse correlation between PHA response and serum PO4 and likewise the inverse correlation with changes in bone X-rays suggest that PTH, fragments thereof, or other factors related to bone and calcium metabolism, could conceivably be involved. This could mediated via cyclic AMP.