Bisphenol A, an Endocrine Disruptive Chemical, is Released from Cellulosynthetic Dialyzer (Hemophan(R)) during Hemodialysis

Song, Sang Heon; Kang, Jin; Kim, Il Young; Kim, Jung Hee; Lee, Dong Won; Lee, Soo Bong; Kwak, Ihm Soo

Abstract

BACKGOUND: Bisphenol-A (2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, BPA) is suspected to be an endocrine disruptor. BPA is a component of polycarbonate (PC), polysulfone (PS), and epoxy resins. PC is used as a material in the case header. Evaluation of BPA release from hemodialyzers may be very important, because BPA released from hemodialyzers is directly introduced into blood circulation. We examined the plasma levels of BPA before and after a hemodialysis session to evaluate the degree of BPA in patients with regular hemodialysis.
METHODS
Ten patients undergoing regular hemodialysis were enrolled. We used cellulosynthetic dialyzer (Hemophan(R)-Alwall GFS Plus 2) and Bisphenol A concentration in plasma that had been taken before and after a hemodialysis session determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis.
RESULTS
Plasma BPA levels before and after a hemodialysis session were 0.02+/-0.05 ng/mL and 0.16+/-0.15 ng/mL respectively. Plasma BPA levels after a hemodialysis session were significantly higher than those before hemodialysis. There were no significant correlations between plasma BPA level and several clinical parameters such as Kt/V, duration of hemodialysis, ultrafiltraion, blood flow, and age.
CONCLUSION
Very small amounts of BPA were released from the cellulosynthetic hemodialyzer during a hemodialysis session. BPA doesn't seem to accumulate in the body of patients undergoing regular hemodialysis using cellulosynthetic hemodialyzer.