Comparison of Icodextrin- and Glucose-Based Peritoneal Dialysis Fluids in Their Acute and Chronic Effects on Human Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells

Abstract

Background

Icodextrin-based peritoneal dialysis fluids (PDFs) display several features that may potentially improve their biocompatibility compared to conventional glucose-containing solutions. So far, however, the studies assessing the biocompatibility profile of icodextrin toward human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC) has produced mixed results. The present study was performed to examine the acute and chronic impact of icodextrin on HPMC in vitro in comparison with standard glucose-based PDF.

Methods

Omentum-derived HPMC were either acutely pre-exposed to or incubated chronically (for up to 10 days) in the presence of icodextrin-PDF. Parallel cultures were treated with conventional PDFs containing either 1.5% or 4.25% glucose. All fluids were tested at neutral pH. HPMC were assessed for viability, proliferation, IL-6 secretion and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Results

Incubation in the presence of icodextrin-PDF significantly reduced HPMC proliferation in a manner similar to that of 1.5% glucose-PDF In addition, exposure to icodextrin-PDF impaired viability and IL-6 release from HPMC. This effect occurred both after the short pre-treatment with neat icodextrin-PDF for 1–4 hours and after prolonged incubation (up to 10 days) in media supplemented with icodextrin-PDF (1:1). The dysfunction of icodextrin-treated HPMC was of the magnitude that was between the effects exerted by 1.5%- and 4.25%-glucose PDF. Furthermore, exposure of HPMC to icodextrin-PDF induced a dose-dependent increase in ROS generation which was comparable to that produced by 1.5%-glucose PDF.

Conclusion

Exposure to icodextrin-PDF may impair viability and function of HPMC. The detrimental effects of icodextrin-PDF are at least as serious as those produced by conventional heat-sterilized low glucose-based PDF.