Changes in copper and ceruloplasmin in chronic renal insufficiency treated by hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Serum copper and ceruloplasmin as well as other parameters in 68 patients with chronic renal insufficiency were studied. It was found that chronic renal insufficiency increases neither the serum copper nor the serum ceruloplasmin. In the group on hemodialysis, there is a progressive increase of copper and ceruloplasmin in serum due to a liberation of 44.44% of the copper content of the membranes. In the group on periodic peritoneal dialysis, there is also an increase of serum copper during the dialysis. We do not have an explanation for this finding.