Peritoneal dialysis in rabbits. A study of transperitoneal theophylline flux and peritoneal permeability.

Since vasodilators can restore toward normal the decreased peritoneal clearances associated with vascular disease, the influence of aminophylline on peritoneal solute transport was studied in unanesthetized rabbits. Mean control creatinine clearance was 0.56 ml/kg/min and urea clearance 0.80 ml/kg/min. Neither intraperitoneal nor intravenous aminophylline increased peritoneal clearances, nor did the ratio creatinine clearance/urea clearance change from the control value, 0.70. Bidirectional flux of theophylline occurred at clearances of 0.70 ml/kg/min efflux and 0.64 ml/min influx. The removal rate of theophylline was 0.05% min, allowing therapeutic removal of excess aminophylline and warranting supplemental therapy during dialysis if therapeutic theophylline concentrations are required. As the intraperitoneal aminophylline was well tolerated, this route can be considered for therapeutic administration.