Molecular size and origin do not influence the harmful side effects of hydroxyethyl starch on human proximal tubule cells (HK-2) in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Recently, clinical trials revealed renal impairment induced by hydroxyethyl starch (HES) in septic patients. In prior studies, we managed to demonstrate that HES accumulated in renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs). The related pathomechanism has not yet been discovered. To validate our hypothesis that the HES molecule itself is harmful, regardless of its molecule size or origin, we conducted a comprehensive study to elucidate the influences of different HES preparations on PTC viability in vitro. METHODS: Cell viability of human PTC was measured with a cytotoxicity assay, quantifying the reduction of tetrazolium salt to colored formazan. Experiments were performed by assessing the influence of different carrier solutions of HES (balanced, nonbalanced, culture medium), different average molecular weights (70, 130, 200 kDa), different origins (potato or corn derived), and various durations of incubation (2-21 hours). Furthermore, HES 130/0.4 was fractionated by ultrafiltration, and the impact on cell viability of average single-size fractions with <3, 3 to 10, 10 to 30, 30 to 50, 50 to 100, and >100 kDa was investigated. We also tested the possible synergistic effects of inflammation induced by tumor necrosis factor-α. RESULTS: All tested HES solutions, regardless of origin or carrier matrix, decreased cell viability in an equivalent, dose-dependent manner. Coincubation with tumor necrosis factor-α did not reduce HES-induced reduction of cell viability. Minor differences were detected comparing 70, 130, and 200 kDa preparations. Analysis of fractionated HES revealed that each fraction decreased cell viability. Even small HES molecules (10-30 kDa) were significantly deleterious. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, we were able to show that only the total mass of HES molecules applied is responsible for the harmful impact on renal PTC in vitro. Neither molecular size nor their origin showed any relevance.