Lixelle adsorbent to remove inflammatory cytokines

A beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)M) selective adsorbent (Lixelle) for direct hemoperfusion has been used for the treatment of hemodialysis patients wit h the long-term complication of dialysis related amyloidosis (DRA), but the re is no significant correlation between the serum level of beta(2)M and th e occurrence of DRA. Inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL- 6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) are related to the developme nt of DRA. We studied the adsorptive rates of cytokines in vitro using the Lixelle adsorbent. The adsorptive rates were 98.5% for IL-1 beta, 98.0% for interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), 82.9% for IL-6, 99.9% for IL-8 , 31.2% for TNF alpha, and 46.1% for soluble TNF receptor (sTNFr), respecti vely. As the molecular weights of cytokines increase, the adsorptive rates decrease. The Lixelle column adsorbed beta(2)M and various inflammatory cyt okines as well. Therefore, the removal of both beta(2)M and inflammatory cy tokines may play an important role in the treatment of DRA.