Novel composite sorbent beads for paraquat removal by hemoperfusion

The present report describes the development and performance of a column that is to be used for removal of paraquat from circulating blood in a hemoperfusion-type set-up. The key element of the system is a newly developed sorbent material containing fuller's earth entrapped in cross-linked agarose beads (Talosit). The technique produces a sorbent material exhibiting a very large active surface area while allowing for high mobility of paraquat molecules within the beads and favorable flow characteristics of packed column. Cross-linking of the agarose (by epichlorohydrin) also has a most beneficial effect on the mechanical strength of the beads as well as on their stability to sterilization in an autoclave. The composite beads exhibit good blood compatibility. A scanning electron microscope analysis of the beads showed no adherence of cellular blood components after contact with blood. Moreover, no significant changes in plasma composition had taken place when the beads were properly conditioned prior to contact with fresh human blood. A comparative study of paraquat removal from saline solution by the new beads and by cellulose-coated activated charcoal (Adsorba-300C) indicates a higher removal rate with the former. The results obtained so far with this new sorbent are very promising and extension of these studies to in vivo hemoperfusion is under way.