Medium Cut-Off (MCO) Membranes Reduce Inflammation in Chronic Dialysis Patients-A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

PLoS One. 2017 Jan 13;12(1):e0169024. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169024. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Background: To increase the removal of middle-sized uremic toxins a new membrane with enhanced permeability and selectivity, called Medium Cut-Off membrane (MCO-Ci) has been developed that at the same time ensures the retention of albumin. Because many middle-sized substances may contribute to micro-inflammation we hypothesized that the use of MCO-Ci influences the inflammatory state in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: The randomized crossover trial in 48 patients compared MCO-Ci dialysis to High-flux dialysis of 4 weeks duration each plus 8 weeks extension phase. Primary endpoint was the gene expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), secondary endpoints were plasma levels of specified inflammatory mediators and cytokines.

Results: After four weeks of MCO-Ci the expression of TNF-α mRNA (Relative quantification (RQ) from 0.92 ± 0.34 to 0.75 ± 0.31, -18.5%, p<0.001)-α and IL-6 mRNA (RQ from 0.78 ± 0.80 to 0.60 ± 0.43, -23.1%, p<0.01) was reduced to a significantly greater extent than with High-flux dialyzers (TNF mRNA-RQ: -14.3%; IL-6 mRNA-RQ: -3.5%). After retransformation of logarithmically transformed data, measurements after MCO were reduced to 82% of those after HF (95% CI 74%-91%). 4 weeks use of MCO-Ci resulted in long-lasting change in plasma levels of several cytokines and other substances with a significant decrease for sTNFR1, kappa and lambda free light chains, urea and an increase for Lp-PLA2 (PLA2G7) compared to High-flux. Albumin levels dropped significantly after 4 weeks of MCO dialysis but increased after additional 8 weeks of MCO dialysis. Twelve weeks treatment with MCO-Ci was well tolerated regarding the number of (S)AEs. In the extension period levels of CRP, TNF-α-mRNA and IL-6 mRNA remained stable in High-flux as well as in MCO-Ci.

Conclusions: MCO-Ci dialyzers modulate inflammation in chronic HD patients to a greater extent compared to High-flux dialyzers. Transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines in peripheral leukocytes is markedly reduced and removal of soluble mediators is enhanced with MCO dialysis. Serum albumin concentrations stabilize after an initial drop. These results encourage further trials with longer treatment periods and clinical endpoints.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / complications*
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / therapy
  • Male
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Middle Aged
  • Renal Dialysis / adverse effects*
  • beta 2-Microglobulin / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • beta 2-Microglobulin

Grants and funding

Financial support for the study came from the German Ministry for Education and Research (FKZ 13N11796-99, https://www.bmbf.de/ and in part from Gambro Dialysatoren GmbH, Hechingen. (http://www.gambro.de/). Gambro Dialysatoren GmbH provided support in the form of salaries for authors Markus Storr, Michael Hulko, Torsten Boehler and Kristin Werner, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section. NMI Technology Transfers GmbH provided support in the form of salaries for authors Markus Pawlak & Markus Templin, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.