From lab to large scale: mixed matrix membranes’ superiority in protein-bound uremic toxin removal
Marc Torrents Yeste[1], O.E.M ter Beek[1], Dimitrios Stamatialis[1]
[1] Advanced Organ bioengineering and Therapeutics, Faculty of Science and Technology, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, The Netherlands
Abstract
Hemodialysis is nowadays mostly used to treat End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients, due to the low availability of transplants, which are the best option [1]. However, this treatment presents some drawbacks. It is non-continuous (3 times a week for 4 hours each session) [1,2] and removes mainly small water soluble toxins and poorly removes Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins (PBUTs) which are assosiated to cardiovascular events and increased mortality of ESRD patients [3].
In this study, we propose the application of Mixed Matrix Membranes (MMM) which combine filtration and adsorption for improved removal of these toxins [4]. Our findings reveal that the tailored composition of polymer dope solutions and activated carbon particles, combined to optimal fabrication settings results to MMM with improved removal of PBUTs, significantly enhancing the overall efficacy of hemodialysis treatment. Still the size of our fibers is considerably larger than most of commercial fibers and could be decreased.
In future studies, we will focus on transport studies with full human blood as well as to setting protocols for upscaling the MMM production. This could further enhance the possibility of integrating these MMMs into clinical practice.
References
[1] Stamatialis, Dimitrios, ed. Biomedical membranes and (bio) artificial organs. Vol. 2. World Scientific, 2017
[2] Ter Beek, Odyl, et al. "New membranes based on polyethersulfone–SlipSkin™ polymer blends with low fouling and high blood compatibility." Separation and Purification Technology 225 (2019): 60-73
[3] Pavlenko, Denys, et al. “New low-flux mixed matrix membranes that offer superior removal of protein-bound toxins from human plasma.” Scientific reports (2016): 6:34429
[4] Kim, DooLi, et al. “High flux mixed matrix membrane with low albumin leakage for blood plasma detoxification.” Journal of Membrane Science 609 (2020): 118187
Acknoledgements
This work is part of the project Biomed04 ‘Artificial Organs’. This project receives a Growth Fund contribution from the program NXTGEN HIGHTECH.