Apoptosis of mesothelial cells caused by unphysiological characteristics of peritoneal dialysis fluids

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Dominik M Alscher1, Dagmar Biegger, Thomas Mettang

  • 1Division of General Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Robert-Bosch-Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany. dominik.alscher@rbk.de

Artificial Organs
|November 18, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Plasticizers and high sodium chloride osmolarity in peritoneal dialysis fluids (PDFs) induce cell damage. Further research should focus on identifying and mitigating these apoptosis inducers for better cell preservation.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biomaterials

Background:

  • Peritoneal dialysis fluids (PDFs) are crucial for maintaining peritoneal cell health.
  • The composition of PDFs can impact mesothelial cell (MC) viability.
  • Ongoing debate exists regarding the optimal PDF formulation for cell preservation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of individual unphysiological components and whole PDFs on mesothelial cell apoptosis and necrosis.
  • To compare the cytoprotective effects of different PDF formulations.

Main Methods:

  • Cultured mesothelial cells (MCs) were exposed to various PDF components (plasticizers, high NaCl osmolarity, low pH, high glucose) and complete PDFs.
  • Apoptosis and necrosis were quantified using FACS analysis with annexin-FITC and propidium iodide staining.
  • Incubation times ranged from 0.5 to 24 hours.

Main Results:

  • Plasticizers and high NaCl osmolarity significantly induced apoptosis after 24 hours (18% and 17%, respectively).
  • Low pH (5.2) resulted in severe necrosis within 4-24 hours.
  • High glucose did not significantly induce apoptosis.
  • Neutral, two-compartment PDFs showed minimal necrosis at 4 hours but induced apoptosis (10%) and necrosis (29%) by 24 hours.

Conclusions:

  • Plasticizers and high osmolarity are key inducers of apoptosis in mesothelial cells.
  • Low pH is highly cytotoxic, causing significant necrosis.
  • While neutral PDFs improve cell preservation, further attention is needed to address early apoptosis induction by specific PDF components.

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