Researchers from Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennyslvania have found a way to temporarily suppress the damaging inflammatory response brought on by dialysis. In earlier studies, the research team showed that polymer-based dialysis filters activate the body’s complement system, a part of the immune system made up of circulating proteins that help antibodies destroy foreign molecules. The scientists were able to suppress the complement system in primates using a compound called Cp40, a variation of the drug, compstatin. They believe a similar, short-term treatment administered only during dialysis could help kidney patients avoid the complications of inflammation, which include cardiovascular disease and anemia.
Source:
Taming the Inflammatory Response in Kidney Dialysis, ScienceDaily, December 12, 2014