Flexible inner surface of polysulfone membranes prevents platelet adhesive protein adsorption and improves antithrombogenicity in vitro.

Background: We investigated whether the condition of the inner surface of hollow fibers affects the blood compatibility of hemodialyzers.

Methods: We used scanning probe microscope/atomic force microscopy (SPM/AFM) to investigate the height of the swelling and flexible layers (thickness and softness) on the inner surfaces of the hollow fibers. Next, we tested the blood compatibility between dialyzers comprising a hollow fiber membrane, in which the other dialyzers, except for PVP, were additionally coated using PS membranes coated with other materials.

A chronic intermittent haemodialysis pig model for functional evaluation of dialysis membranes.

Performance evaluation of new dialysis membranes is primarily performed in vitro, which can lead to differences in clinical results. Currently, data on dialysis membrane performance and safety are available only for haemodialysis patients. Herein, we aimed to establish an in vivo animal model of dialysis that could be extrapolated to humans.

Clotting Propensity of Surface-Treated Membranes in a Hemodialysis Set-up That Avoids Systemic Anticoagulation.

The development of biocompatible membranes, aiming to limit the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and coagulability during hemodialysis, has been an important step in reducing dialysis-related adverse outcomes. This includes a reduction in the risk of clotting of the extracorporeal circuit, thus enabling hemodialysis with a reduced dose or even without systemic anticoagulant drugs in patients with an increased bleeding risk. In this article, we summarize the in vitro research and clinical evidence on the antithrombotic properties of vitamin E- and heparin-coated membranes.

The effect of vitamin E-bonded polysulfone membrane dialyzer on a new oxidative lipid marker.

The use of vitamin E-bonded cellulose membrane dialyzers has been reported to cause a decrease in oxidative lipid marker levels (Nakai et al., Ther Apher Dial 14:505-540, 1; Nakai et al., J Jpn Soc Dial Ther 45:1-47, 2; Mashiba et al.

Establishment of a blood purification system for renal failure rats using small-size dialyzer membranes.

Hemodialysis techniques for small animals have not been established because no small dialysis apparatus has been available. We recently developed a small-size dialyzer and established an appropriate blood purification system for small animals. To confirm the appropriate dialysate flow rate, bovine blood was dialyzed for 60 min at a fixed blood flow rate of 1.

Improvement of intradialytic hypotension in diabetic hemodialysis patients using vitamin E-bonded polysulfone membrane dialyzers.

Currently, there are no detailed reports on the effects of vitamin E-bonded polysulfone (PS) membrane dialyzers on intradialytic hypotension (IDH) in diabetic hemodialysis (HD) patients. This study was designed to evaluate changes in intradialytic systolic blood pressure (SBP) using "VPS-HA" vitamin E-bonded super high-flux PS membrane dialyzers. The subjects were 62 diabetic HD patients whose intradialytic SBP fell by more than 20%.

Selection guidelines for high-performance membrane.

The fundamental concept for the selection of high-performance membrane is based on solute removal capability and biocompatibility. From this principle, the selection guidelines for high-performance membrane are recommended as follows: (1) The currently available products do not provide coverage of the necessary 'balance between solute removal and biocompatibility' in a single dialyzer for all the dialysis patients. Therefore, it is advisable to choose a high-performance membrane taking into consideration the balance between the solute removal capacity necessary for the patient and the severity of complications that is considered a surrogate marker for biocompatibility.

Improved management of intradialytic hypotension (IDH) using vitamin E-bonded polysulfone membrane dialyzer.

Background: Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a common clinical trait in hemodialysis (HD) which is caused by poor biocompatibility of the dialyzer membrane. Aiming to improve IDH, vitamin E-bonded polysulfone dialyzer (VPS-H) was evaluated in a pilot study.

Methods: Eight IDH patients on standard HD were switched from their conventional high-flux dialyzers to VPS-H, and intradialytic blood pressure (BP) was monitored regularly for 10 months.

uPAR (CD87) as a biocompatibility marker of dialysis membrane.

Background/aims: Hemodialysis (HD) therapy may lead to functional changes in patient leukocytes. For example, the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1beta and TNFalpha, has been well characterized. However, these findings do not explain the entire response of leukocytes in HD.

In vivo expansion of transduced murine hematopoietic cells with a selective amplifier gene.

Background: Hematopoietic stem-cell-directed gene transfer has achieved limited success in transducing clinically relevant levels of target cells. The expansion of gene-modified cells is one way to circumvent the problem of inefficient transduction with current vectors. To this end, we have developed 'selective amplifier genes' (SAGs) that encode chimeric proteins that are a fusion of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor and the steroid-binding domain.