Objectives: Ultrafiltration (UF) insufficiency is one of the important causes of inadequate dialysis. Intraperitoneal (IP) insulin might be administered for blood glucose regulation in diabetic peritoneal dialysis patients. Insulin is known to increase the development of fibrosis and neovascularization via increasing growth factors like TGF-β1 and VEGF. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effects of IP and subcutaneous (SC) insulin application on the peritoneal membrane permeability.

Material and Methods: 24 wistar albino rats were included in the study and three groups were formed. The first group was the control one. IP insulin for the 2^nd group and SC insulin for the 3^rd group rats in which diabetes was induced by 60 mg/kg streptozocin were applied. 2 mounts later all the rats underwent peritoneal equilibration test and quantification of UF.

Results: When compared with the control group UF quantity decreased in two diabetic groups and the decrease in the IP insulin group was significant (p<0.001). Although the blood glucose regulation was much better (p<0.001), UF values of the IP insulin group were lower than those of the SC insulin group (p<0.001).

Conclusion: IP insulin application causes UF insufficiency in diabetic peritoneal dialysis model, probably by changing the membrane permeability characteristics. ©2007, Firat University, Medical Faculty