A Clinically Relevant Murine Model of Peritoneal Fibrosis by Dialysate and Catheters

Peritoneal fibrosis can occur in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD), and patients with severe peritoneal fibrosis have high morbidity and mortality. Peritonitis, high-glucose peritoneal dialysis fluid, and a long period of PD precipitate the onset of peritoneal fibrosis. An animal study of peritoneal fibrosis is needed due to the limitations of human and in vitro studies. However, most animal models do not mimic clinical conditions. To study peritoneal fibrosis, we developed a clinically relevant murine model by implanting a peritoneal catheter and injecting 2.5% high-glucose PD fluid plus 20 mM methylglyoxal (MGO) into the peritoneal cavity daily for 21 days. Implantation of the peritoneal catheter avoids peritoneal injury by needles and mimics clinical PD patients. Immunofluorescence staining showed that myofibroblasts accumulated in the fibrotic peritoneum. The experimental group had lower ultrafiltration volume and peritoneal membrane transport function (peritoneal equilibration test). In this article, we provide a detailed protocol of the model.