Modulation of NADPH oxidase activity by known uraemic retention solutes.

BACKGROUND: Uraemia and cardiovascular disease appear to be associated with an increased oxidative burden. One of the key players in the genesis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase. Based on initial experiments demonstrating a decreased inhibitory effect on NADPH oxidase activity in the presence of plasma from patients with CKD-5D after dialysis compared with before dialysis, we investigated the effect of 48 known and commercially available uraemic retention solutes on the enzymatic activity of NADPH oxidase. METHODS: Mononuclear leucocytes isolated from buffy coats of healthy volunteers were isolated, lysed and incubated with NADH in the presence of plasma from healthy controls and patients with CKD-5D. Furthermore, the leucocytes were lysed and incubated in the presence of uraemic retention solute of interest and diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI), an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. The effect on enzymatic activity of NADPH oxidase was quantified within an incubation time of 120 min. RESULTS: Thirty-nine of the 48 uraemic retention solutes tested had a significant decreasing effect on NADPH oxidase activity. Oxalate has been characterized as the strongest inhibitor of NADPH oxidase (90% of DPI inhibition). Surprisingly, none of the uraemic retention solutes we investigated was found to increase NADPH oxidase activity. Furthermore, plasma from patients with CKD-5D before dialysis caused significantly higher inhibitory effect on NADPH oxidase activity compared with plasma from healthy subjects. However, this effect was significantly decreased in plasma from patients with CKD-5D after dialysis. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that uraemic retention solutes modulated the activity of the NADPH oxidase. The results of this study might be the basis for the development of inhibitors applicable as drug in the situation of increased oxidative stress.

Characterization of polymer membranes by MALDI mass-spectrometric imaging techniques.

For physical and chemical characterization of polymers, a wide range of analytical methods is available. Techniques like NMR and X-ray are often combined for a detailed characterization of polymers used in medical applications. Over the past few years, MALDI mass-spectrometry has been developed as a powerful tool for space-resolved analysis, not least because of its mass accuracy and high sensitivity. MALDI imaging techniques combine the potential of mass-spectrometric analysis with imaging as additional spatial information. MALDI imaging enables the visualization of localization and distribution of biomolecules, chemical compounds, and other molecules on different surfaces. In this study, surfaces of polymeric dialyzer membranes, consisting of polysulfone (PS) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), were investigated, regarding chemical structure and the compound's distribution. Flat membranes as well as hollow fiber membranes were analyzed by MALDI imaging. First, analysis parameters like laser intensity and laser raster step size (spatial resolution in resulting image) were established in accordance with polymer's characteristics. According to the manufacturing process, luminal and abluminal membrane surfaces are characterized by differences in chemical composition and physical characteristics. The MALDI imaging demonstrated that the abluminal membrane surface consists more of polysulfone than polyvinylpyrrolidone, and the luminal membrane surface displayed more PVP than PS. The addition of PVP as hydrophilic modifier to polysulfone-based membranes increases the biocompatibility of the dialysis membranes. The analysis of polymer distribution is a relevant feature for characterization of dialysis membranes. In conclusion, MALDI imaging is a powerful technique for polymer membrane analysis, regarding not only detection and identification of polymers but also localization and distribution in membrane surfaces.