Continuous hemofiltration model using porcine blood for comparing filter life.

The purpose of the present study was to establish a continuous hemofiltration model using porcine blood to compare filter life. Continuous hemofiltration (CHF) experiments were performed using an in vitro hemofilter evaluation system utilizing porcine blood containing trisodium citrate in addition to nafamostat mesilate as anticoagulants. The lifetime of the hemofilter was evaluated using the transmembrane pressure and the pressure drop across the hemofilter at varying trisodium citrate concentrations. The porcine blood used in this experiment was considered to be in a slightly hypercoagulable state because of the continuous contact with non-biological materials and calcium inflow from substitution fluid. Blood containing 7 or 8 mM of trisodium citrate and nafamostat mesilate could be effectively used to compare the lifetimes of hemofilters utilized under the same conditions. In this CHF model using porcine blood, the plugging of the hollow fibers occurred shortly after the plugging of the membrane pores. In conclusion, a CHF model using porcine blood can be established by adjusting the concentration of trisodium citrate added to the blood.

Evaluation of the Biocompatibility of Dialysis Membranes.

BACKGROUND: Improvements in the biocompatibility of dialysis membranes have reduced biological responses elicited by blood-membrane interactions. In this article, recent technological developments in dialysis membranes with regard to biocompatibility and recent progress in the evaluation of the biocompatibility of dialysis membranes are reviewed. SUMMARY: The focus of investigation into dialysis membranes in recent years has focused on not only membrane materials, but also their surface textures, which have been changed, for example, by coating with vitamin E or by changing the amount and type of hydrophilizing agents used. Research and development is directed at altering the chemical and physical properties of membrane surfaces to suppress biological responses that are particularly elicited as a result of platelet activation. To develop membranes with excellent biocompatibility, biocompatibility should be evaluated on a like-for-like basis under conditions that are similar to those in clinical settings. Evaluation using actual dialyzers can be performed using porcine blood, platelet-rich plasma isolated from porcine blood (and platelet-rich plasma with leukocytes), or suspension of neutrophils isolated from porcine blood or cultured human monocytes. KEY MESSAGES: Highly biocompatible dialysis membranes can be developed when the overall correlations among biological reactions are examined by integrating all data on biological responses elicited by blood-membrane interactions or mutual interactions among blood cells.

Effects of increased surface coverage of polyvinylpyrrolidone over a polysulfone hemofilter membrane on permeability and cell adhesion during continuous hemofiltration.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the adhesiveness of blood cells and the solute removal performance change of modified polysulfone membranes which have increased polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) coverage over their surface. Continuous hemofiltration (CHF) experiments for 24 h were carried out using an ex vivo hemofilter evaluation system to compare a modified polysulfone hemofilter (SHG) with the conventional polysulfone hemofilter (SH). The 25 and 50 % cutoff values of the sieving coefficient of dextran after CHF and the protein concentration in the filtrate was higher in SHG, indicating that less fouling occurred in the SHG membrane. Adhesion of blood cells after 24 h of CHF was significantly higher in the case of SH than in the case of SHG. Blood cell adhesion and membrane fouling were reduced with the use of a polysulfone membrane modified with increased PVP coverage over the surface.

Activation of platelets upon contact with a vitamin E-coated/non-coated surface.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a vitamin E-coated surface on platelet activation, focusing on the interactions among the vitamin E-coated surface, platelets and leukocytes. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or PRP containing leukocytes (LPRP) was used. No difference was observed in platelet activation between PRP and LPRP for a vitamin E-coated membrane, meaning that platelet activation triggered by leukocytes was suppressed in plasma coming in contact with a vitamin E-coated membrane, while the membrane itself directly induced platelet activation. The antioxidant capacity of the vitamin E-coated membrane in contact with PRP or LPRP was partially reduced, but sufficient residual capacity remained. The in vitro experiments using an oxidized vitamin E-coated surface revealed that P-selectin expression and superoxide anion production in the platelets and platelet adhesion were induced by contact with the oxidized vitamin E-coated surface. We conclude that contact with a vitamin E-coated surface reduces platelet activation mediated by superoxide anions, probably by reducing superoxide anions, but during the process of the reduction, the vitamin E-coated surface itself becomes oxidized, which again causes platelet activation. The beneficial effects of a vitamin E-coated dialyzer in respect of platelet activation were counteracted by the formation of oxidized vitamin E.