Extracorporeal whole blood immuno-adsorption of passively transferred myasthenia gravis rabbits by cellulose-tryptophan column.

The whole blood immuno-adsorption (WBIA) system, using an adsorbent to remove pathogenic antibodies of Myasthenia Gravis (MG), was studied. Cellulose-tryptophan adsorbent was synthesized and purified in our lab. Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) rabbits were passively transferred with immunoglobulin from patients with myasthenia gravis. The rabbits underwent extracorporeal whole blood adsorption for 2 hours. Results showed no significant damage to blood cells and no changes in the concentrations of electrolytes. Total protein decreased by 12.6% (P<0.05) and globulin protein decreased 21.9% (P<0.05). The overall removal of antibodies against nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) was 49.85%. The percentage of decrement of compound muscle action potential in 3, 5, 10 Hz of EAMG rabbits all dropped down after the treatment. The quantity of neuromuscular junctions per unit area (25 mm(2)) increased significantly after treatment (P<0.05). In conclusion, the adsorbent was biocompatible, safe for whole blood immuno-adsorption. Whole blood immuno-adsorption improved clinical manifestation and neuromuscular function of the passively transferred EAMG rabbits.