Possible effects of hepatocyte growth factor for the prevention of peritoneal fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: Some patients who had carried out long-term continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis discontinued the treatment because of progressive peritoneal fibrosis. It has been previously reported that transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is one of the factors that induces peritoneal fibrosis. Also, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plays a role in the prevention of fibrosis and in inhibiting TGF-beta1 production. In this study, we examined the effects of HGF on peritoneal fibrosis by TGF-beta1 induced by high concentrations of D-glucose. DESIGN: We transfected a full-length human HGF cDNA in an expression vector into human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) using the calcium phosphate method. Transfected HPMCs were cultured with high concentrations of D-glucose solution and co-cultured with fibroblasts using a transwell system. Cell proliferation was determined using the Tetra Color One method. TGF-beta1 and HGF protein were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: In addition to recombinant HGF, the growth inhibition of HPMCs by high concentration D-glucose or TGF-beta1 was significant. By transfecting HGF cDNA into HPMCs, growth inhibition by high concentration D-glucose was completely restored. Furthermore, the production of TGF-beta1 was also significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that exogenous HGF could possibly prevent peritoneal fibrosis.

Successful use of icodextrin in elderly patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

In peritoneal dialysis (PD), a 7.5% polyglucose-containing dialysis solution (icodextrin) provides prolonged ultrafiltration as compared with glucose-based dialysis solutions. In the present study, we attempted to clarify the safety and effectiveness of icodextrin in elderly patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Clinical data and outcomes of 16 patients aged 65 or older were monitored for 12 weeks before and during icodextrin treatment. The group included 13 men and 3 women with a mean age of 69 +/- 5 years (range: 66-78 years). The underlying kidney disease was chronic nephritis in 7 patients, diabetes mellitus in 8 patients, and nephrosclerosis in I patient. From the beginning of peritoneal dialysis, 1 patients had been treated with icodextrin; the other 10 were changed to icodextrin from glucose dialysis solution. At the end of study, body weight had increased to 63.8 +/- 9.3 kg from 61.6 +/- 9.3 kg, accompanied by an increase in ultrafiltration to 480 +/- 207 mL daily from 369 +/- 436 mL daily. No significant change in urine volume occurred. Despite the increase in body weight, cardiothoracic rate decreased to 51.1% +/- 3.4% from 52.3% +/- 4.9%. All patients reported an improvement of edema and appetite. Edema scores were significantly decreased to 0.85 +/- 0.90 from 1.63 +/- 0.96 (p < 0.03). No adverse side effects were associated with the use of icodextrin. From the foregoing data, we concluded that, as compared with conventional glucose solution, icodextrin has beneficial effects on ultrafiltration volume and clinical symptoms in elderly patients on CAPD.