Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

10:35
Extracellular Glucose Depletion as an Indirect Measure of Glucose Uptake in Cells and Tissues Ex Vivo
Published on: April 6, 2022
Glucose in the dialysate: historical perspective and possible implications?
Rajiv Sharma1, Mitchell H Rosner
1Division of Nephrology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, USA.
Summary
High glucose in hemodialysis fluid may worsen inflammation. This review questions the routine use of glucose in dialysis, exploring its potential pro-inflammatory effects in end-stage renal disease patients.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Biochemistry
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Hemodialysate solutions commonly contain high glucose concentrations (up to 200 mg/dL).
- Historically, glucose was added to aid ultrafiltration and reduce caloric loss during dialysis.
Observation:
- Recent evidence suggests high glucose levels may promote inflammation.
- End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is linked to significant morbidity, mortality, and chronic inflammation.
Findings:
- This review examines the role of glucose in hemodialysate.
- It explores the potential pro-inflammatory implications of dialysate glucose in ESRD patients.
Implications:
- The routine use of glucose in dialysis fluid warrants reevaluation.
- Further research is needed to determine if dialysate glucose concentration causally impacts chronic inflammation in ESRD.
Related Concept Videos
Dialysis
Dialysis is a diffusion-based purification process that separates analyte molecules from a complex matrix. This is accomplished by allowing molecules in the solution to pass through a semipermeable membrane into a liquid on the other side. The membrane is usually made of cellulose acetate or cellulose nitrate, and the second liquid must be miscible with the solution. Ions (e.g., chloride or sodium) or organic molecules (e.g., glucose) can pass through the membrane pores, which generally have...
Dialysis
Renal failure occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste products from the blood effectively. It can be classified into two types: acute renal failure (ARF) and chronic renal failure (CRF).
Acute kidney injury develops suddenly and can be caused by pre-renal causes (e.g., hypovolemia, shock), intrinsic renal causes (e.g., acute tubular necrosis), or post-renal causes (e.g., urinary obstruction). In contrast, chronic renal failure progresses gradually over time and is often...
Acute kidney injury develops suddenly and can be caused by pre-renal causes (e.g., hypovolemia, shock), intrinsic renal causes (e.g., acute tubular necrosis), or post-renal causes (e.g., urinary obstruction). In contrast, chronic renal failure progresses gradually over time and is often...
Peritoneal Dialysis I: Introduction and Procedure
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a procedure that facilitates the exchange of solutes, waste products, electrolytes, and excess fluid between the blood in the peritoneal capillaries and a dialysis solution introduced into the peritoneal cavity.Principles of Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)Diffusion: Waste products such as urea and electrolytes move from high concentrations in the blood to low concentrations in the dialysate across the peritoneal membrane. This mechanism is driven by the concentration...
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level. It is diagnosed by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL, random glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms, or HbA1c ≥6.5%. However, HbA1c results may be unreliable in certain conditions, such as anemia or hemoglobinopathies, and the diagnosis should be confirmed unless classic symptoms are present. Postprandial hyperglycemia is typically considered significant when glucose levels exceed 180 mg/dL two...
Secondary Active Transport
One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme "pump" embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
Secondary Active Transport
One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme “pump” embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...

