Therapeutic application of phenylalanine immunoadsorbent with on-line regeneration.

To improve the adsorption capacity of the artificial reticuloendothelial system containing phenylalanine as a ligand, a regeneration method for the adsorbent during plasma perfusion was developed. The adsorbed rheumatoid factor, immunoglobulins, and complements were demonstrated to be elutable from the adsorbent with a 5% glucose solution in vitro. The regeneration method was applied to the treatment of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. During each plasma perfusion, the adsorbent was regenerated, usually twice, with a 5% glucose solution at a flow rate of 50 ml/min. After each regeneration, the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent was found to be improved by determining the pre- and post-column plasma titers of a rheumatoid arthritis hemagglutination test.