Sodium kinetics across dialysis membranes.

The kinetics of sodium across dialysis membranes were studied during diffusion and during convection utilizing cuprophan and cellulose hydrate membranes. During diffusion the changes in plasma water sodium concentration are correlated to the sodium concentration gradient between plasma water and dialysate but an increase also occurs when the gradient is annulled, due to the Donnan effect. During convection the plasma water sodium concentration increases during the passage through the dialyzer and the ultrafiltrate sodium concentration is significantly lower than the plasma water sodium concentration; this is due to the fact that the plasma proteins, as anions unable to cross the membrane, affect the kinetics of the sodium cations. Therefore, during diffusion the kinetics of sodium are mainly affected by the sodium concentration gradient and by the plasma protein concentration, while during convection the plasma protein concentration is the main factor affecting the kinetics of sodium.