Fibronectin in the Normal Peritoneal Fluids of Patients on Chronic Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) and during Peritonitis

Abstract

The authors have studied the fibronectin (Fn) levels in peritoneal fluids from patients on CAPD. The assay system used is based on ELISA using a monoclonal antibody to Fn. We have tried to determine whether in some of these patients repeated intraperitoneal infections bear any relationship with peritoneal Fn levels. We find that the Fn levels in the peritoneal fluids from these patients are about one twentieth those found in normal plasma. Also we have found that the peritoneal Fn levels significantly increase during peritonitis and come back to normal levels within a few days of the clearing of the peritoneal fluid. We have found no connection between normal peritoneal fluid Fn concentration and subsequent peritonitis. However, the numbers are too small to permit statistical evaluation. The Fn levels were not affected by the presence or absence of heparin in the Dineal fluids. Large day to day variations were seen in the Fn levels in the peritoneal fluid of individual patients. It is not clear from this study, whether the low levels of Fn in the peritoneal fluid reflect a deficit in the local Fn production or are due to dilutional effects.