Removal of unconjugated bilirubin by macroreticular resin in hemoperfusion.

Macroporous polystyrene and polyvinylpyridine beads with quaternary ammonium and tertiary groups were tailor-made for the adsorption of unconjugated bilirubin. In vitro studies in order to obtain high adsorption capacity, the synthesized macroporous resin should have an average pore size of about 160 A and with surface area as large as possible. As the crosslinking of the resin increased from 4%-40% the amount of bilirubin adsorbed increased from 0.17 mg/g to 2.0 mg/g. Resins containing strong basic groups have higher adsorption capacities than their corresponding weak base groups. Adsorption mechanism studies showed that both chemical and physical adsorption took place. Adsorption of bilirubin in plasma was some what lower than in buffer solution.