Abstract: Methods of measuring levels of pro-inflammatory substances in dialysis solutions or specific dialysis components used to manufacture dialysis solutions are provided. In a general embodiment, the method comprises determining an IL-6 response versus a pro-inflammatory substance concentration of a reference standard containing a pro-inflammatory substance and establishing a dose-response curve of the IL-6 responses as a function of different pro-inflammatory substance concentrations of the reference standard. An IL-6 response of a test sample of a dialysis solution is determined. The corresponding pro-inflammatory substance concentration of the dialysis solution is then calculated using the dose-response curve. The IL-6 response of the reference standards and the dialysis solution can be determined using a high sensitivity PBMC IL-6 assay.

Abstract: A method of testing a glucose polymer or a glucose polymer derivative includes providing a sample of the glucose polymer or glucose polymer derivative. The sample is filtered at a specified molecular weight cutoff to obtain a retentate portion and a filtrate portion. The retentate portion is added to a first assay. The filtrate portion is added to a second assay. A reagent is added to each of the first assay and the second assay. The reagent produces a proinflammatory response. The proinflammatory response of each of the first assay and the second assay is measured. The proinflammatory response of the first assay is compared to the proinflammatory response of the second assay to determine if the glucose polymer or glucose polymer derivative is suitable for use in a patient.