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Pharmacokinetic modeling of 4,4'-methylenedianiline released from reused polyurethane dialyzer potting materials

H M Do Luu1, J C Hutter

  • 1Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Rockville, Maryland 20852, USA. hml@cdrh.fda.gov

Insights

4,4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA), a chemical from medical devices, poses health risks. A pharmacokinetic model shows hemodialysis patients may accumulate low MDA levels from device leaching, even with reuse.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • 4,4 '-Methylenedianiline (MDA) is a polyurethane degradation product found in medical devices.
  • MDA is a known animal mutagen/carcinogen, hepatotoxic, allergenic, and a suspected human carcinogen.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for MDA.
  • To estimate MDA absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in hemodialysis patients exposed via dialyzers.

Main Methods:

  • A five-compartment PBPK model (liver, kidney, GI tract, slow/richly perfused tissues) was developed.
  • Model parameters were derived from literature and calibrated/validated using rat and human worker data.

Main Results:

  • PBPK modeling simulated MDA exposure in single-use and worst-case reuse hemodialysis scenarios.
  • Results indicate potential for low-level accumulation of MDA and metabolites in dialysis patients.

Conclusions:

  • Dialysis patients may accumulate MDA from leached materials in new or reused hemodialyzers.
  • PBPK modeling provides a tool to assess risks associated with medical device leaching.

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