Abstract
Objective
Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS), in which all or part of the intestine is enveloped in a fibrous ball resembling a cocoon, is a serious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether pH-neutral or acidic dialysis solutions induce peritoneal fibrosis.
Design
We divided 18 male Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats into three groups and dialyzed them with various solutions as follows: group I, 10 mL acidic dialysis solution (pH 3.8, containing 1.35% glucose),
Results
In rats treated with pH 3.8 dialysis solution, necropsy findings revealed features identical to those of EPS. The typical appearance was of granulation tissue or fibrotic tissue (or both) covering multiple surfaces. Multiple adhesions were present. In microscopic examinations, peritoneal fibrosis and loss of mesothelium were found. In rats treated with pH 7.0 dialysis solution, no signs of EPS were seen. In rats treated with pH 5.0 dialysis solution, milder changes (subserosal thickening and partial adhesion of the peritonea) were observed. The mRNA of AQP-1 and AQP-4 were expressed in the peritonea of the rats. The expression of the AQPs was significantly suppressed in rats treated with pH 3.8 dialysis solution.
Conclusions
In rats, long-term intraperitoneal injection of acidic dialysis solution produced features typical of EPS in humans. Newly developed neutral dialysis solutions protected the against the development of EPS during peritoneal dialysis in rats.
Keywords
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