[The analysis of plasma beta 2-microglobulin concentration in patients with chronic renal failure treated by hemodialysis].

Plasma beta 2-microglobulin concentrations increase in long-term dialyzed patients. This rise correlates with impairment of excretion and degradation by inefficient kidneys and also with increased synthesis of this protein during standard hemodialysis. In extreme cases, in particular in patients treated by hemodialysis for a long time, when their plasma beta 2-concentration rises significantly, the protein can be deposited in tissues. This study reports the results of determining serum beta 2-microglobulin levels in 14 patients with chronic renal failure treated by hemodialysis. The average age of patients at the beginning of the study was 16 years. All patients were hemodialyzed with cuprophane membranes. Determinations of beta 2-microglobulin levels were repeated after 6, 12 and 24 months. The results show that serum beta 2-microglobulin levels rose during this period of hemodialysis therapy.