IN-VIVO MODEL TO STUDY THE BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF PERITONEAL-DIALYSIS SOLUTIONS

This study was designed to analyze the complex morphologic and functio nal effects of dialysis solutions on peritoneum in a rat model on chro nic peritoneal dialysis. Peritoneal catheters were inserted into 10 ma le, Wistar rats and the animals were dialyzed twice daily for 4 weeks with 4.25% Dianeal. During the study we observed two opposite effects: healing of the peritoneum after catheter implantation - decreased cel l count in dialysate, decreased permeability of the peritoneum to gluc ose and total protein, increased volume of drained dialysate; and dama ge to the membrane due to its exposure to peritoneal dialysis solution - increased hyaluronic acid levels in dialysate, a tendency of the pe ritoneum to thicken when compared to non-dialyzed animals. Our rat mod el of CAPD may be used for quantitative and qualitative assessment of the effects of peritoneal dialysis solution on the peritoneum during c hronic dialysis.