Effects on the peritoneal membrane of rabbits of a single bicarbonate solution containing glycylglycine.

So far, no one has devised ideal, on-line mixed bicarbonate solutions for hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) because current preparations can lead to precipitation of calcium and magnesium carbonate during treatment. The author has prepared a new, single bicarbonate dialysis solution that contains glycylglycine (BiGG). With a bicarbonate/glycylglycine ratio of 30/10 mM/L, this solution has a stable pH of 7.35; sterilized through a 0.22 micron filter, it remains stable for over 15 months when stored at 10 degrees-40 degrees C. When infused (40 mL/kg bw) in rabbits daily for 25 days, the BiGG solution showed excellent peritoneal-membrane tolerance and biocompatibility. Comparative ultrafiltration (UF) studies with BiGG and standard lactate (La) solutions in rabbits showed that net UF with La solution peaked at 2 h and decreased significantly at 4 h and 6 h. Net UF with BiGG solution peaked at 4 h and was sustained at 6 h; in all instance it was greater than that of La solution by approximately 15%, 30%, and 40% at 2, 4, and 6 h, respectively. During the initial 2-h dwell period, the pH of La solution increased from an initial 5.5 to 7.18, whereas that of the BiGG solution remained stable at 7.35. In all rabbits, the peritoneal fluid contained phosphatidylcholine at all times. However, its concentration was significantly higher in animals receiving the BiGG solution than in those receiving the La solution. The author concludes that this new single BiGG PD solution is simple to use, stable, and of a normal pH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)