Peritoneal clearances in scleroderma and diabetes mellitus: effects of intraperitioneal isoproterenol.

Reduced peritoneal clearances of creatinine and urate were demonstrated repeatedly in a patient with scleroderma and a patient with diabetes mellitus. Urea clearances were not significantly different from usual values. The findings suggest decreased peritoneal membrane permeability and/or area (if urea clearance is flow limited). Clearances increased to usual values with intraperitioneal isoproterenol in the patient with diabetes. There was no effect of isoproterenol in the patient with scleroderma.