PERITONEAL-DIALYSIS SOLUTION INDUCES APOPTOSIS OF MESOTHELIAL CELLS

For better simulation of the long-dwell exchanges in conventional CAPD , we have developed a modified mesothelial cell culture system consist ing of a Transwell culture apparatus. The equilibration patterns of pH , dextrose and osmolality in the present culture system were observed to be very similar to those in human CAPD. The effects of six differen t peritoneal dialysis solutions on the apoptosis of mesothelial cells were evaluated using this modified culture system. The results imply t hat peritoneal dialysis solution per se may incite apoptosis of mesoth elial cells, and also that low calcium peritoneal dialysis solution is a milder apoptosis stimulant as compared to the conventional peritone al dialysis solution. Moreover, varying concentrations of dextrose in the peritoneal dialysis solution were not observed to significantly af fect the apoptosis rate. The roles of ambient high concentrations of c alcium and dextrose, low pH, as well as high osmolality in the apoptos is are also discussed.