Oxidative stress during leukocyte absorption apheresis

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Immunology
• Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

• Leukocyte apheresis activates leukocytes, potentially increasing oxidative stress.
• This process is generally avoided in extracorporeal circulation due to bioincompatibility concerns.
• The impact of leukocyte apheresis on in vivo oxidative stress requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in plasma oxidative stress during leukocyte apheresis.
• To compare the effects of two different leukocyte absorption devices on oxidative stress.
• To assess the temporal dynamics of oxidative stress markers during treatment.

Main Methods:

• Patients with ulcerative colitis undergoing leukocyte apheresis were studied.
• Plasma oxidative stress was measured using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (OHRI).
• Plasma samples were collected pre- and post-column during treatment with Adacolumn or Cellsorba EX devices.

Main Results:

• Hydroxyl radical signal intensities (OHRI) increased during column passage, indicating reduced scavenging activity.
• OHRI decreased by the end of the treatment, suggesting recovery of radical scavenging activity.
• Significant reductions in OHRI and TBARS were observed only in the early treatment phase; no device-specific differences were found.

Conclusions:

• Leukocyte apheresis temporarily diminishes plasma antioxidant activity but shows recovery during the procedure.
• The observed antioxidative effect is primarily limited to the early phase of the therapeutic course.
• Both Adacolumn and Cellsorba EX devices demonstrated similar effects on oxidative stress markers.