Beta 2-microglobulin serum levels during dialysis: effect of cuprophan and serum osmolality changes.

New cuprophan dialysers were used in twenty, re-used dialysers in twelve dialyses and new dialysers in ten sequential ultrafiltrations. Serum beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) concentration was measured before and after all these procedures. Serum osmolality changes were compared with changes in serum beta 2m concentrations. These concentrations rose in dialyses with new and re-used dialysers, but remained unchanged during sequential ultrafiltration. beta 2m increased with serum hypo-osmolality, decreased with serum hyperosmolality and did not change during iso-osmolar dialysis. These results indicate that cuprophan membrane does not raise beta 2m concentration during dialysis. It is hypo-osmolality that is responsible for the increment of beta 2m in serum.