Cytotoxicity of mononuclear cells as induced by peritoneal dialysis fluids: insight into mechanisms that regulate osmotic stress-related apoptosis.

Objective: High glucose content of peritoneal dialysis fluids (PDFs) has been shown to contribute to loss of peritoneal function during long-term peritoneal dialysis. However, hyperosmolality and hypertonicity of PDF are usually seen as similar stress events inducing osmotic stress-induced programmed cell death. In this study, we examined the impact of various osmotic agents on apoptosis induced by hyperosmolar PDFs, focusing on the mechanisms underlying the lethal effects of PDFs on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).