Systemic heparinization of uremic patients and its effects on blood lipids and on in vitro toxicity of the plasma.

The effect of heparin on plasma lipids was investigated in uremic patients prior to and during hemodialysis, and in healthy individuals receiving equal heparin doses. The effects of heparin on plasma lipids were correlated with the effects of plasma on phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocytes, and on the function of human mononuclear phagocytes cultured in vitro. The plasma concentrations of high density lipoproteins, cholesterol and albumin were not influenced by systemic heparinization or hemodialysis. Plasma triglycerides showed a significant fall in both groups tested, and remained almost unchanged during hemodialysis. The ratio between the molar concentration of free fatty acids and albumin increased in both groups following systemic heparinization and was significantly correlated with a rise in plasma toxicity.