Peritoneal transfer during maximal hyperosmotic ultrafiltration in the rat.

Peritoneal transfer parameters were estimated in rats (n = 24) while maximal net ultrafiltration rate (nUFR) was achieved with 15% dextrose dialysis solution (1,153 mOsm/kg) and compared with those obtained with 0.37% dextrose solution (301 mOsm/kg). Experiments were carried out with dialysis solutions of pH approximately 6.5 and approximately 7.6, respectively, for 15% dextrose dialysis solution and 0.37% dextrose solution. Increases in both convective and diffusive transfer resulted in more than 70% greater peritoneal clearances of urea, potassium, and phosphate with hyperosmotic solutions at both pH values. Protein removal was increased only with a hyperosmotic solution of pH approximately 6.5 compared with isosmotic conditions at the same pH. Results support the hypothesis that increased peritoneal transfer parameters under hyperosmotic conditions depend not only upon enhanced convection but also on factors promoting diffusive transfer.