Kinetics of chromium during peritoneal dialysis.

This study describes investigations on the possible mechanisms involved in the transfer of Cr from the dialysate to the blood during peritoneal dialysis. The ability of Cr(III) compounds to penetrate across a membrane at physiological pH seems rather questionable, as it is well known that Cr(III) tends to form polymeric chains. Therefore, a systematic study was undertaken to describe the pathways involved in this transport. The characteristics during 'in vitro' dialysis were compared to the behaviour of Cr during acute 'in vivo' experiments on anesthetized rabbits. It appeared that lactate, a common substance of the dialysate, plays an extremely important role in the mobility and subsequent transfer of Cr(III) across the peritoneum.