Heparin transfer across the rabbit peritoneal membrane.

Variable quantities of heparin have been proposed to avoid intraperitoneal clotting during peritoneal dialysis without the risk of systemic effects, because heparin is presumed to be incapable of passing through the peritoneal membrane. This study set out to verify this assumption by using labeled heparin in experimental dialysis in 7 New Zealand white rabbits. Heparin was labeled with 99mTc. Labeling quality, assessed by two chromatographic checks, showed less than 5% of free pertechnetate. Chromatographic determinations showed more than 95 and 80% of labeled heparin in inflow and outflow dialysates and in blood samples respectively. Following sodium thiopental anesthesia, animals underwent three protocols: a single 15 min cycle of time diffusion with heparin 500 U/l (A), 6 successive 15 min cycles with heparin 500 U/l (B), and a single 3 h cycle with heparin 2,500 U/l (C). Labeled heparin was found in blood organs and urine in variable percentages. The total amount of recovered radioactivity ranged from 1.5% (A) to 20% (C) of that introduced. It may be concluded that heparin passes through the peritoneum according to some law dependent on the amount used and the diffusion time.