Biocompatibility and tolerability of a purely bicarbonate-buffered peritoneal dialysis solution.

Background: Novel peritoneal dialysis solutions are characterized by a minimal content of glucose degradation products and a neutral pH. Many studies have shown the biocompatibility of neutral lactate-buffered solutions; however, until now, the effect of purely bicarbonate-buffered solutions has not been intensively studied in vivo.

Methods: This study was an open label, prospective, crossover multicenter trial to investigate the biocompatibility of a purely bicarbonate-buffered solution (bicPDF) by measuring biocompatibility parameters such as cancer antigen 125 (CA125) in peritoneal effluent.

Comparison of plasma levels of cytokines and in vitro generation of reactive oxygen species after nicotine infusion in nicotine users with normal and impaired renal function.

Several in vitro and animal studies suggest effects of nicotine on the immune system, but little evidence exists regarding the in vivo immunomodulation of nicotine in humans. The increased use of nicotine replacement therapy to aid smoking cessation claims further understanding of how nicotine affects blood leukocytes. This is of particular importance when nicotine therapy is used in diseases associated with alterations of the immune system, such as chronic renal failure.