Functionality of Albumin in the Context of Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis treatment enables patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease to survive. At the same time, however, this treatment also increases cardiovascular mortality, in particular due to a chronically increased level of inflammation and usually incomplete removal of uraemic toxins. Both of these are closely linked with the functional properties of albumin.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of various parameters of dialysis, in particular dialyzer properties and dialysis mode on the functional properties of albumin and to what extent these parameters can be used therapeutically, to improve the treatment quality of hemodialysis treatment in the long term by modifying albumin functional properties.

Our own preliminary work in this field and the current state of research indicate that, for example, the use of high-flux dialyzers can contribute to a reduction of the oxidative stress level. It also appears possible that treatment mode (haemodiafiltration instead of haemodialysis) may also have an effect on the binding and detoxification efficiency of albumin and thus on the removal of uraemic toxins.

Previous results have mostly been collected in observational studies. As a proof-of-concept study, this study will further investigate the concrete therapeutic applicability in an interventional study design.