Objective To evaluate and compare the effects of glucose-based solutions to those of icodextrin with respect to peritoneal transport characteristics and formation of advanced glycosylation end-products (AGEs) in the peritoneal membrane in the diabetic rat model of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Study Design Thirty-three male Sprague–Dawley rats weighing between 275 – 300 g were divided into 5 groups: group C ( n = 6), control rats with catheter but not dialyzed; group D ( n = 5), diabetic rats with catheter but not dialyzed; group G ( n = 7), diabetic rats dialyzed with standard 2.5% glucose solution for daytime exchanges and 4.25% glucose solution for the overnight exchange; group H ( n = 8), diabetic rats dialyzed with standard 2.5% glucose solution for daytime exchanges and 7.5% icodextrin solution for overnight exchanges; group I ( n = 7), diabetic rats dialyzed with 7.5% icodextrin solution for all exchanges. Dialysis exchanges were performed three times daily with an instillation volume of 25 mL per exchange for a period of 12 weeks. Tissue sections were stained using a monoclonal anti-AGE antibody. One-hour peritoneal equilibration tests (PET) were performed every 4 weeks for comparison of transport characteristics. Results The level of immunostaining was lowest in group C and highest in group G. Significant differences were seen between group C and groups G, H, and I ( p < 0.001, p = 0.001, and p < 0.05 respectively). Significant differences were also found between group G and groups D and I ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.05 respectively). Over time, glucose concentration at the end of an exchange versus concentration at instillation (D/D0 glucose) decreased and dialysate-to-plasma ratio (D/P) of urea increased. Significant differences were found between groups C and H for D/D0 glucose (0.40 ± 0.01 vs 0.35 ± 0.01, p < 0.05); and between groups C and H for D/P urea (0.87 ± 0.03 vs 0.97 ± 0.02, p < 0.05). Conclusions These results suggest that AGE formation is lower with the use of peritoneal dialysis solution containing icodextrin than with glucose-based solutions. We conclude that the use of icodextrin may be helpful in slowing the deterioration of the peritoneal membrane, prolonging its use for dialysis.
Influences of advanced glycosylation end products on the inner blood–retinal barrier in a co-culture cell model in vitro
