On the balance between albumin loss and removal of middle molecules in dialyzers

Journal of Membrane Science Letters, vol. 3, pp. 100044

Abstract

Tuning the pore size distribution of hemodialysis membranes is essential for the membrane’s selectivity and significantly affects the quality of the dialysis treatment. Tailoring the membrane’s molecular weight cut-off appropriately balances the removal of middle-molecular-weight uremic toxins while avoiding albumin loss. This undesirable albumin loss is a potential side effect and concern for clinical use when aiming at increased removal of middle molecular weight molecules (middle molecules). It is hypothesized that control of the position of a narrow pore size distribution allows middle molecule removal while simultaneously counteracting the unwanted albumin loss. This study presents a comprehensive ex-vivo methodology and novel data on the balance of the clearance of middle molecules and albumin loss at different blood and dialysate flow rates using novel dialyzers. The outcomes hold significance for dialysis therapy, while the insights acquired have broader implications for the selectivity of ultrafiltration membranes. The Theranova dialyzer shows the largest clearance for small-middle molecules. Phylther stands out with higher removal of the middle molecule YKL-40 than the other dialyzers but exhibits a significant albumin loss. Theranova demonstrates the best compromise between low albumin loss and good clearances of middle molecules.

Authors 4

1. Franziska Hagemann Aachen DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials

   DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials

   Affiliation as printed

   DWI Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, Aachen, 52074, Germany

2. John Linkhorst Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University, AVT.CVT, Forckenbeckstraße 51, Aachen, 52074, Germany

3. Hannah Roth Aachen DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials

   RWTH Aachen University · DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials

   Affiliation as printed

   DWI Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, Aachen, 52074, Germany

   RWTH Aachen University, AVT.CVT, Forckenbeckstraße 51, Aachen, 52074, Germany

4. Matthias Weßling corresponding Aachen DWI - Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials

   RWTH Aachen University · DWI – Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials

   Affiliation as printed

   DWI Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, Aachen, 52074, Germany

   RWTH Aachen University, AVT.CVT, Forckenbeckstraße 51, Aachen, 52074, Germany