Enhanced long-term reduction of plasma leptin concentrations by super-flux polysulfone dialysers

Background. Hyperleptinaemia in chronic haemodialysis (CHD) patients has been associated with malnutrition, which is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality in this patient group. Methods. To assess the influence of HD on plasma leptin, 10 CHD patients were crossover randomized to low-flux polysulfone (PS: F 6HPS), high-flux PS (F 60S), super-flux PS (F 500S) or super-flux cellulose-tri-acetate (CTA: Tricea 150G) for 12 weeks each. Blood samples were collected at the start of the study and each 12-week period. In addition, the relationship between patient characteristics, inflammation and leptin was analysed. Results. At baseline, all groups showed similar leptin concentrations (mean 33.6±21.7 ng/ml). After a single HD session, a significant (P