肠道缺血再灌注损伤时肠淋巴干结扎对系统炎性反应的影响

目的比较大鼠肠道缺血再灌注损伤时肠淋巴干结扎与不结扎对循环中炎性介质和细菌内毒素的影响。方法采用肠道缺血再灌注模型进行肠系膜淋巴管结扎。大鼠随机分4组，每组10只：空白组（A组）；假手术组（B组）；肠道缺血再灌注组（C组）；肠道缺血再灌注加淋巴干结扎组（D组）。缺血再灌注后，作肠系膜淋巴结培养计算细菌易位率；检测循环中内毒素、D-乳酸、二胺氧化酶、TNF—α、IL-1β、IL-6和sICAM-1水平。结果细菌易位率A、B两组为0；C组40％，D组20％。与A、B组比较，C、D两组内毒素、D-乳酸和二胺氧化酶水平显著增高（P〈0．05），且D组显著低于C组；血循环中各细胞因子除sICAM-1在D组与C组之间没有显著差异外，C组的IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α浓度均明显高于D组（P〈0．05）。结论肠道缺血再灌注损伤时，肠淋巴干结扎可减少细菌在肠系膜淋巴结的定植，并减轻肠道缺血再灌注的损伤及增加通透性，从而减轻全身炎性反应。     

谷氨酰胺强化肠外营养对大鼠小肠黏膜缺血再灌注损伤的影响

目的：构建大鼠小肠缺血再灌注模型,观察谷氨酰胺强化肠外营养对小肠黏膜屏障作用的影响,并探讨其作用机制。方法：30只雌性Wistar大鼠,随机分为正常对照组（N组）、传统肠外营养组（TPN组）和谷氨酰胺强化肠外营养组（TPN＋Gln组）3组,每组10只。TPN组和TPN＋Gln组构建小肠缺血再灌注模型后予完全肠外营养5d。观察3组小肠黏膜形态、血浆D-乳酸、内毒素、TNF-α、IL-6水平及小肠黏膜HO-1 mRNA和蛋白的表达。结果：TPN＋Gln组与TPN组相比,小肠黏膜组织形态明显改善,血浆D-乳酸、内毒素、TNF-α和IL-6水平均显著性降低,HO-1 mRNA及蛋白表达水平明显增高。结论：谷氨酰胺强化肠外营养可以明显减轻大鼠缺血再灌注小肠黏膜屏障损伤及炎性反应,保护黏膜屏障完整性,并促进HO-1 mRNA表达及HO-1合成。HO-1及其代谢产物的抗氧化、抗凋亡及抗炎作用可能是谷氨酰胺保护缺血再灌注损伤小肠的作用机制。     

清营泻瘀方联合力肽对肠缺血再灌注损伤大鼠肠屏障的保护作用

目的探讨清营泻瘀方联合力肽对肠缺血再灌注损伤大鼠肠屏障的作用及可能机制.方法：SD大鼠72只,随机分为假手术组8只、模型组、中药组（清营泻瘀方）、西药组（力肽）、合用组（清营泻瘀方联合力肽）各16只,后4组按造模后处死时间再分别分为术后2 h组和术后24 h组.采用夹闭肠系膜上动脉45 min的方法诱导肠缺血再灌注损伤,分别观察再灌注后2 h和24 h肠黏膜的病理改变以及血清中TNF-α、IL-10和D-乳酸的水平.结果：清营泻瘀方和力肽都可以减轻肠黏膜的损伤,降低血中IL-10和D-乳酸水平（P〈 0.05）,但清营泻瘀方在再灌注24 h降低IL-10的水平方面优于力肽（P〈 0.05）,清营泻瘀方联合力肽在保护肠黏膜和降低血D-乳酸的水平方面均优于单纯使用清营泻瘀方或力肽（P〈 0.05）.结论：清营泻瘀方联合力肽对肠缺血再灌注大鼠肠屏障有显著的保护作用,其可能机制与荡涤肠胃宿垢,减少细菌移位,调节炎症介质平衡有关.     

大鼠急性肠缺血后血浆D-乳酸的变化及其与肠粘膜损害的关系

目的观察肠缺血再灌注时门、体循环 D-乳酸的动态变化及其与肠粘膜损害的相关性。方法采用大鼠肠系膜上动脉阻断75分钟后松夹进行重灌注的模型,分别于术前,阻断末,松夹后0.5,2,6小时活杀动物,观察门静脉和体循环 D-乳酸水平、血浆内毒素含量及小肠病理形态学改变。结果肠缺血75分钟后大鼠门静脉 D-乳酸水平较伤前值显著上升(P<0.05),再灌注后呈进一步持续升高趋势。外周血 D-乳酸的改变与门脉血基本一致,各时相点与门脉血含量相比差异无显著意义(P>0.05)。相关分析结果显示,门静脉血浆 D-乳酸含量与肠粘膜损伤评分值呈显著正相关(r=0.415,P<0.01)。与此同时,大鼠肠缺血75分钟门静脉内毒素含量迅速上升,再灌注后2小时达峰值。结论急性肠缺血再灌注可致肠粘膜屏障破坏。使门、体循环 D-乳酸水平显著升高,其含量与小肠粘膜损害密切相关。因此,D-乳酸可作为新的血浆标志物应用于急性肠粘膜损害的早期诊断。     

清营泻瘀方对肠缺血再灌注损伤大鼠肠屏障的保护作用

目的:探讨清营泻瘀方对肠缺血再灌注损伤大鼠肠屏障的保护作用及可能机制。方法:80只SD大鼠,随机分为假手术组(n=8)、肠缺血再灌注模型组(n=24)、清营泻瘀方治疗组(n=24)和大承气方治疗组(n=24),后3组按造模后处死时间的不同又分别分为术后2h组、术后24h组和术后48h组,每组8只。采用夹闭肠系膜上动脉45min的方法诱导肠缺血再灌注损伤模型,分别观察再灌注后2h、24h和48h肠黏膜的病理改变以及血清中TNF-α、IL-10和血浆中D-乳酸的水平。结果:清营泻瘀方和大承气方都能够减轻肠黏膜的损伤,降低血中TNF-α和D-乳酸的含量(P0.05),晚期降低IL-10水平(P0.05)。清营泻瘀方在在保护肠黏膜和降低血D-乳酸的水平方面优于大承气方(P0.05)。结论:清营泻瘀方对肠缺血再灌注损伤大鼠肠屏障有显著的保护作用,其可能机制与荡涤肠胃宿垢,减少细菌移位、调节炎症介质平衡有关。     

缺血后处理对小肠缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的：观察缺血后处理减轻肠缺血再灌注引起的小肠及远隔脏器损伤的效果,并探讨其机制。方法将家兔48只随机分为假手术组、缺血再灌注组、缺血后处理组,每组16只。再灌注2 h 后采集各组动脉血、静脉血及部分肠道组织、肝、肺组织,测动脉血中 TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6、IL-10水平,测静脉血中 ALT、AST、BUN,Cr、LDH、CK-MB 活性,测内毒素水平,测定血清及小肠、肝、肺组织 MDA、MPO、CAT、SOD 水平,HE 染色,观察肠黏膜损伤情况,细菌培养观察细菌易位率。结果与缺血再灌注组比较,缺血后处理组血清及小肠、肝、肺组织中 MDA、MPO 水平明显降低, SOD、CAT 水平明显升高,静脉血 ALT、AST、LDH、CK-MB、BUN 下降;动脉血中 TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6、内毒素降低,IL-10水平升高,肠黏膜损伤评分明显降低。结论缺血后处理可以减轻肠黏膜损伤,减少内毒素易位,促进抗炎因子的激活,抑制炎性介质的过度释放,提升小肠组织及远隔脏器的氧自由基的抗氧化能力,减轻小肠及远隔脏器组织损伤。     

CO2气腹对肝硬变大鼠肠黏膜通透性影响的实验研究

目的 探讨CO2气腹对肝硬变大鼠肠道黏膜通透性的影响。方法建立肝硬变大鼠模型。50只大鼠随机分为对照组（n=5），肝硬变组（n=5）及肝硬变气腹组（n=40），肝硬变气腹组根据不同气腹压又分为8mmHg和13mmHg2个亚组，每组20只。各组大鼠（肝硬变气腹组分别在气腹结束后0．5、2、6及12h）取门静脉血检测血清内毒素及D-乳酸含量。结果肝硬变组血清内毒素及D-乳酸含量均明显高于对照组（P〈0．05）；而肝硬变气腹组不同气腹压及持续不同时间后的血清D-乳酸及内毒素含量则均明显高于肝硬变组（P〈0．05），其中血清内毒素含量随气腹压增高而增高（13mmHg vs 8mmHg，F=5．466，P〈0．05），但血清D-乳酸含量不同气腹压间的差异无统计学意义（F=0．415，P〉0．05）。结论肝硬变大鼠肠黏膜通透性增加，在此基础上建立CO2气腹若增加到一定压力并持续一定时间后，可增加肠黏膜的通透性，且此变化随气腹压力增高而加大，但解除气腹后可逐渐恢复。     

常温肝缺血再灌注损伤的实验研究

目的：探讨肝缺血再灌注损伤的作用机制。方法：采用大鼠部分肝缺血再灌注模型，将健康雄性SD大鼠24只随机分为三组：A组（手术对照），B组（肝缺血90min），C组（肝缺血90min再灌注120min）。观察每一动物肝组织病理切片；分别检测血浆谷草转氨酶（AST）、谷丙转氨酶（ALT）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF－α）、白介素1β（IL-1β）浓度；测定肝组织中髓过氧化物酶（MPO）含量。结果：肝缺血再灌注后，光镜下大鼠肝组织有明显的肝血窦和中央静脉瘀血，内皮细胞及肝细胞普遍水肿变性；C组肝细胞坏死较B组明显；血浆中肝功能酶学指标显著升高，（B、C组与A组比及C组比B组P均＜0．01）；肝组织中MPO活性升高，以再灌注120min组为著（C组比A组P＜0．01）；与血浆中TNF－α、IL-1β的变化趋势相同（TNF－α：C组比A组P＜0．05，IL－1β：B、C组比A组P均＜0．01）。结论：肝脏微循环障碍是肝缺血再灌注损伤的病理基础；TNF－α、IL-1β介导中性粒细胞参与的肝缺血再灌注损伤过程。     

大鼠肝缺血／再灌注后肝组织一氧化氮和不同亚型一氧化氮合酶的变化

目的探讨一氧化氮（NO）和一氧化氮合成酶（NOS）在肝缺血／再灌注（I／R）过程中的变化和作用。方法健康雄性SD大鼠24只，随机分为3组（每组8只）：①正常对照组，术中只分离肝周围韧带，不做肝门阻断及再灌注。②I/R组，进行45min的部分肝门阻断及60min的再灌注。③L-精氨酸（L—Arg）组，缺血前20min经阴茎背静脉注射L—Arg（300mg／kg），余同②组。实验结束后，取下腔静脉血2ml，并迅速切取缺血肝组织。检测血清丙氨酸转氨酶（ALT）、门冬氨酸转氨酶（AST）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）；测定肝组织中超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、丙二醛（MDA）、黄嘌呤氧化酶（XOD）、一氧化氮（NO）和一氧化氯合成酶（NOS）等指标；观察光镜和电镜下肝组织学变化。结果与正常对照组相比，I／R组iNOS升高，NO降低；L-Arg组NO、eNOS均高于I／R组。2、3组比1组大鼠的肝组织病理损害重、肝功能差，L—Arg组病理损害较I／R组明显减轻、肝功能改善。结论NO对大鼠肝I／R损伤具有保护作用．不同亚型NOS的变化参与其中。     

大鼠急性肠缺血后血浆D-乳酸的变化及其与肠粘膜损害的关系

目的观察肠缺血再灌注时门、体循环Ｄ－乳酸的动态变化及其与肠粘膜损害的相关性。方法采用大鼠肠系膜上动脉阻断７５分钟后松夹进行重灌注的模型，分别于术前，阻断末，松夹后０．５，２，６小时活杀动物，观察门静脉和体循环Ｄ－乳酸水平、血浆内毒素含量及小肠病理形态学改变。结果肠缺血７５分钟后大鼠门静脉Ｄ－乳酸水平较伤前值显著上升（Ｐ＜０．０５），再灌注后呈进一步持续升高趋势。外周血Ｄ－乳酸的改变与门脉血基本一致，各时相点与门脉血含量相比差异无显著意义（Ｐ＞０．０５）。相关分析结果显示，门静脉血浆Ｄ－乳酸含量与肠粘膜损伤评分值呈显著正相关（ｒ＝０．４１５，Ｐ＜０．０１）。与此同时，大鼠肠缺血７５分钟门静脉内毒素含量迅速上升，再灌注后２小时达峰值。结论急性肠缺血再灌注可致肠粘膜屏障破坏，使门、体循环Ｄ－乳酸水平显著升高，其含量与小肠粘膜损害密切相关。因此，Ｄ－乳酸可作为新的血浆标志物应用于急性肠粘膜损害的早期诊断     

Vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction during major abdominal surgery

Background : We investigated the vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction (MT) with hypotension due to prostacyclin (PGI₂) release in patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a combined general and epidural anesthesia. Methods : In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study we administered 400 mg ibuprofen (i.v.) in 42 patients scheduled for abdominal surgery. General anesthesia was combined with epidural anesthesia (T4-L1). Before as well as 5, 15, 30, 45, and 90 min after MT we recorded plasma osmolality, hemodynamics and measured 6-keto-PGFlα (stabile metabolite of PGI₂), TXB₂ (stabile metabolite of thromboxane A₂) active renin, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) plasma concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Catecholamine levels were assessed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. Results : Following MT, arterial hypotension occurred along with a substantial PGI₂ release. This was completely abolished by ibuprofen administration. Although plasma levels of 6-keto-PGF_1α (1133 (708) vs. 60 (3) ng/L, median (median absolute deviation), P=0.0001, placebo vs. ibuprofen) remained significantly elevated, blood pressure was restored within 30 min after MT in the placebo group. At the same point in time plasma concentrations of TXB² (164 (87) vs. 58 (1) ng/L, P=0.0001), epinephrine (46 (33) vs. 14 (6) ng/L, P=0.001), AVP (41 ± (18) vs. 12 (7) ng/L, P=0.0004), and active renin (27 (12) vs. 12 (4) ng/L, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in placebo-treated patients. Conclusion : Under combined general and epidural anesthesia arterial hypotension following MT due to endogenous PGI₂ release is associated with enhanced release of AVP, active renin, epinephrine and thromboxane A₂, presumably contributing to hemodynamic stability within 30 min after MT.     

A comparison of the inhibitory effects of four volatile anaesthetics on the metabolism of chlorzoxazone, a substrate for CYP2E1, in rabbits

Background: Halothane inhibits in vitro and in vivo activity of cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 2E1. There are several fluorinated volatile anaesthetics besides halothane, and most of them are defluorinated by CYP2E1. It is unclear whether other fluorinated anaesthetics inhibit the in vivo activity of CYP2E1.
Methods: We compared the inhibitory effects of therapeutic concentrations of four inhalational anaesthetics, halothane, enflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane, on chlorzoxazone metabolism in rabbits receiving artificial ventilation.
Results: All four inhalational anaesthetics decreased arterial blood pressure and increased plasma chlorzoxazone concentration. However, no significant differences in the plasma chlorzoxazone concentration were found between the four anaesthetics. The estimated chlorzoxazone clearance increased after beginning inhalation with all four agents, but no significant difference in clearance was noted between agents.
Conclusions: At therapeutic concentrations, the in vivo inhibitory effect on chlorzoxazone metabolism was similar for all four inhalational anaesthetics examined, even though their chemical characteristics and extent of hepatic metabolism differ considerably.     

A Teaspoon Pump for Pumping Blood with High Hydraulic Efficiency and Low Hemolysis Potential

Abstract: Virtually all blood pumps contain some kind of rubbing, sliding, closely moving machinery surfaces that are exposed to the blood being pumped. These valves, internal bearings, magnetic bearing position sensors, and shaft seals cause most of the problems with blood pumps. The original teaspoon pump design prevented the rubbing, sliding machinery surfaces from contacting the blood. However, the hydraulic efficiency was low because the blood was able to "slip around" the rotating impeller so that the blood itself never rotated fast enough to develop adequate pressure. An improved teaspoon blood pump has been designed and tested and has shown acceptable hydraulic performance and low hemolysis potential. The new pump uses a nonrotating "swinging" hose as the pump impeller. The fluid enters the pump through the center of the swinging hose; therefore, there can be no fluid slip between the revolving blood and the revolving impeller. The new pump uses an impeller that is comparable to a flexible garden hose. If the free end of the hose were swung around in a circle like half of a jump rope, the fluid inside the hose would rotate and develop pressure even though the hose impeller itself did not "rotate"; therefore, no rotating shaft seal or internal bearings are required.     

Microspheres Based Detoxification System: A New Method in Convective Blood Purification

Abstract: A variety of protein-bound or hydrophobic substances, accumulating as a result of pathologic conditions such as exogenous or endogenous intoxications, are removed poorly by conventional detoxification methods because of low accessibility (hemodialysis), insufficient adsorption capabilities (hemosorption), low efficiency (peritoneal dialysis), or economic limitations (high-volume plasmapheresis). Combining advantages of existing methods with microspheric technology, a module-based system was designed. Major operating parameters of the latter can be modified to allow for adjustment to individual clinical situations. An extracorporeal blood circuit including a plasmafilter is combined with a secondary high-velocity plasma circuit driven by a centrifugal pump. Different microspheric adsorbers can be combined in one circuit or applied in sequence. Thus, a prolonged treatment can be tailored using specially designed selective adsorber materials. Comparing this system with existing methods (high-flux hemodialysis, molecular adsorbent recycling system), results from our in vitro studies and animal experiments demonstrate the superior efficiency of substance removal.     

Is the recovery profile of mivacurium independent of the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with normal plasma cholinesterase activity?

Background: The duration of action of muscle relaxants is poorly correlated to the rate of decay of their plasma concentration. The plasma concentration of mivacurium may rapidly decrease below its active concentration because of the extensive hydrolysis of mivacurium. By inflating a tourniquet on one upper limb for 3 min after the administration of atracurium, mivacurium or vecuronium, we studied the influence of the initial decline of their plasma concentration on their effect. Methods: In 50 patients anaesthetised with thiopental, isoflurane and fentanyl, the effect of bolus doses of 0.15 or 0.25 mg . kg^?1 mivacurium (MIV 15, MIV 25), 0.3 or 0.5 mg . kg^?1 atracurium (ATR 30, ATR 50) and 0.06 or 0.1 mg . kg^?1 vecuronium (VEC 06, VEC 10) were measured on both arms (evoked response of the adductor pollicis to train-of-four stimulation every 12 s), a tourniquet being applied on one arm just before and during 3 min after the muscle relaxant bolus. Results: Tourniquet inflation of 3 min almost abolished the neuromuscular effect of mivacurium. In the vecuronium groups and in the ATR 50 group, tourniquet inflation did not modify the maximum degree of depression of the twitch response. Also, the duration of action of vecuronium was unaffected by the tourniquet. In the ATR 30 group, times to return of the twitch response to 25% (duration 25%) and 75% (duration 75%) of control response were significantly shorter in the cuffed arm, 23 min vs 27 min, and 41 min vs 45 min, respectively. In the ATR 50 group, only duration 25% was significantly shorter in the cuffed arm (41 min vs 45 min). Conclusion: The results suggest that the rate of decline of the plasma concentration of mivacurium is so rapid, that a very low and almost clinically ineffective concentration is present as soon as 3 min after its administration. The results also indicate that the recovery from a mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade is not influenced by the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with genotypically normal plasma cholinesterase.     

Membranes in Artificial Organs

Abstract: Membrane processes play a pivotal and enabling role in modern replacement therapy for acute and chronic organ failure and in the management of immunologic diseases. In fact, virtually all contemporary extracorporeal blood purification methods employ membrane devices, and the next generation of artificial organs and tissue engineering therapies are almost certain to be similarly grounded in membrane technology. In this short essay, we comment on the similarities and differences among synthetic membranes and their natural counterparts and also provide a critical overview of the demographics and technology of hemodialysis, hemofiltration, apheresis, oxygenation, and emerging membrane technologies and applications.     

Tissue perfusion in relation to cardiac output during continuous positive-pressure ventilation and administration of propranolol or verapamil

Background : Our objective was to determine whether administration of propranolol or verapamil modifies the hemodynamic adaptation to continuous positive-pressure ventilation (CPPV), in particular the regional distribution of cardiac output (CO).
Methods : General hemodynamics and regional blood flows assessed by microsphere technique (15 (μm) were recorded in 16 anesthetized pigs during spontaneous breathing (SB) and CPPV with 8 cm H₂O end-expiratory pressure (CPPV8) before and after intravenous administration of propranolol (0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.15 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8) or verapamil (0.1 mg · kg⁻¹ followed by 0.3 mg · kg⁻¹ · h⁻¹, n=8).
Results : CPPV8 depressed CO by 25% without shifts in its relative distribution with the exception of a noteworthy increase in adrenal perfusion. Propranolol increased arterial blood pressure, and due to a fall in heart rate, CO dropped by 25%. The kidneys and, to a lesser extent, the splanchic region and central nervous system received increased fractions of the remaining CO at the expense of skeletal muscle flow. Similar patterns were seen during SB and CPPV8 such that the combination of propranolol and CPPV8 depressed CO by 50%. The circulatory effects of verapamil were less evident but myocardial perfusion tended to increase.
Conclusions : The combination of propranolol or verapamil with CPPV does not result in any specific hemodynamic interaction in anesthetized pigs, except that the combined effect of propranolol and CPPV may severely reduce CO.     

Volatile anaesthetics reduce adhesion of blood platelets under low-flow conditions in the coronary system of isolated guinea pig hearts

Background : Inhibitory effects of volatile anaesthetics on platelet aggregation have been demonstrated in several studies. However, the influence of volatile anaesthetics on intracoronary platelet adhesion has not been elucidated so far.
Methods : Isolated hearts of guinea pigs were perfused with buffer in the absence or presence of volatile anaesthetics (0.5 and 1 MAC) at constant coronary flow rates of 5 ml/min for 25 min, then 1 ml/min for 30 min and again 5 ml/min for 10 min. Before, during and after low-flow perfusion, a bolus of human platelets was applied into the coronary system. To simulate thrombogenic conditions, 0.3 U/ml human thrombin was infused during low-flow perfusion and reperfusion. The number of platelets sequestered to the endothelium was calculated from the difference between coronary in- and output of platelets. The myocardial production of lactate and consumption of pyruvate and coronary perfusion pressure were also determined.
Results : At a flow rate of 5 ml/min only about 3% of the applied platelets did not emerge from the coronary system, in any group. In contrast, 13.1±1.2% (mean±SEM) of infused platelets became adherent in low-flow perfusion in the control group without anaesthetic. The adherence was reduced with each 1 MAC isoflurane (to 6.2±1.2%), sevoflurane (to 4.4±0.9%) or halothane (to 3.2±1.5%) (each P <0.05 vs. control). Volatile anaesthetic, 0.5 MAC, did not inhibit platelet adhesion to a statistically significant extent in any case. Perfusion pressure and metabolic parameters were not statistically different between the control and the hearts exposed to anaesthetics.
Conclusion : Volatile anaesthetics in a concentration of 1 MAC can reduce the adhesion of platelets in the coronary system under reduced flow conditions. This action does not arise from vasodilation or inhibition of ischaemic stress.     

Bariatric Surgery in Some "Central and East-European (former Eastern bloc)"Countries - Current Status and Prediction for the Next Millennium

Background: Obesity is increasing globallly, including in the formerly "Eastern Bloc" countries. Methods: A survey was made of obesity and bariatric surgery. Results: In the 8 East and Central European countries studied, with total population 300 million, roughly 43% of the population was overweight (BMI 25-30), 23% obese (BMI > 30), with about 15 million people morbidly obese (BMI > 40). From 0-10 morbidly obese individuals/100,000/year undergo bariatric surgery. Conclusion: Most countries were found to provide inadequate treatment for obesity.The majority of the morbidly obese are not treated effectively. However, health-care awareness of obesity and bariatric surgeons are slowly increasing.     

Dilemma of Membrane Biocompatibility and Reuse

Abstract: Numerous articles have been published on the multiple use of dialyzers and on the effect of different reprocessing chemicals and techniques on the dialyzer biocompatibility and performance. The results often appear contradictory, especially those comparing standard biocompatibility parameters. Despite this confusion, a discerning review of the published works allows certain limited conclusions to be drawn. Reprocessing of used hemodialyzers changes the biocompatibility profile of a dialyzer as defined by the parameters complement activation. leukopenia, and cytokine release. The effect of reprocessing depends on the chemicals and reprocessing technique applied and also on the type of membrane polymer being subjected to the reprocessing procedure. Reports of pyrogenic reactions indicate that the flux of the membrane also influences how suitable it is for safe reuse. An increased risk of allergic and pyrogenic reactions appears to be associated with dialyzer reuse. Furthermore, there has been a lack of investigations into the immunologic effect of the layer of adsorbed and chemically altered proteins that remains on the inner surface of reprocessed dialyzers. We conclude that the clinical benefit of dialyzer reuse cannot be generally accepted from a biocompatibility point of view.