Issn Print: 1058-2916

Publication Date: 2001/03/01


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THE USE OF ADSORBENTS IN THE REMOVAL OF CYTOKINES

M. Murphy; B. Hennebelle; W. A. Lloyd; G J. Davies; S Mikhalovsky

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Excerpt

Inflammation is an essential host reaction to infection, however over-stimulation of inflammatory pathways can lead to septic shock, acute liver failure and multiple organ failure (MOF). These conditions are characterised by an increase in the production of cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. The removal of these inflammatory mediators or their regulation may help treat these conditions.
Various methods have been used to reduce levels of circulating cytokines including haemofiltration and haemoperfusion although these techniques have generally been shown to offer limited clinical benefit. However it has been shown that some adsorbents may offer an efficient alternative for the removal of cytokines from the circulation of patients suffering from sepsis (1) This study investigated the potential of a number of alternative carbon and resin based adsorbents for the removal of cytokines and the degree to which adsorption can be increased by the manipulation of pore size and surface chemistry. The adsorbents used in the experiments reported here contained macropores (>50nm), mesopores (2–50nm) and micropores (<2nm) that provide high surface area and rapid access to the internal surface, together with specific functional groups (OH or sulphonic acid) that may impart a degree of selectivity. Test solutions were prepared in a 0.1% BSA Tyrode buffer with final cytokine concentrations ranging from (0 pg.mL−1 to 1000 pg.mL−1). Solutions (15mLs) were incubated at 25°C and shaken, (100 rpm) with 0.5g of each adsorbent for 6 hours. Aliquots of solution taken at various time points were analysed using ELISA kits (IDS Ltd). Concentrations of free cytokine were calculated with reference to standard curves and used to calculate relative adsorption capacities. The results suggested that both the manipulation of pore size and functional group associated with the adsorbents can be used to increase the removal of cytokines from protein solutions.
The data suggest that the adsorbents used in this study may provide a suitable therapeutic aid in the treatment of sepsis.
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