The use of zeolite in the treatment of kidney failure
A precious “treasure” lies hidden in the heart of the Evros Prefecture – a “treasure” not only in terms of economic value, but also in terms of health applications – Petrota in Northern Evros and Kirkí in Alexandroupoli are waiting to be put to use.
We have repeatedly referred to the Evros Prefecture – a region blessed by nature (yet remote and neglected by the State) – which harbours an ‘inexhaustible treasure’ within its depths. Among the valuable minerals whose existence has been confirmed is zeolite. A mineral which, beyond its economic value, has countless applications, ranging from agriculture and industry to healthcare. Today, a new application relating to haemodialysis should be added to its list of valuable properties.
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Scientists in Japan have discovered a simple way to treat kidney failure; using nanotechnology, they have succeeded in removing toxins from a blood sample. The breakthrough was achieved by researchers at the Japanese International Centre for Nanoarchitectured Materials and the National Institute for Materials Science in the city of I
The scientists developed a nanofibre mesh using two components: a primary polymeric matrix that is compatible with blood, and various forms of zeolites (clay-silicate materials found in nature). As the scientists explain, zeolites have a porous structure capable of absorbing toxins, just as creatinine is absorbed from the blood.
The mesh was developed using a cost-effective electrostatic method, in which an electric charge was used to extract fibres from a liquid. The scientists found that the ratio of silicon to clay within the zeolites plays a decisive role in the adsorption of creatinine, and that a specific form of zeolite exhibits the greatest capacity for toxin adsorption, whilst also offering the properties required in a final haemodialysis product.
According to the scientific report, this mesh can be incorporated into a haemodialysis product that would be small enough for the patient to wear on their arm. Indeed, according to the scientists, such a solution would also have economic benefits, as it would reduce both the cost of treatment and the time required to administer it.
As Mitsuhiro Ebara, head of the research team, noted, although this treatment is still at an early stage and is not yet ready for use in humans, there are already clear indications that the nanofibre mesh will soon provide a viable, easy and affordable alternative for patients suffering from kidney failure who are forced to undergo haemodialysis on an almost daily basis.
[Vol.11] A simple way to treat kidney failure
A new technique for purifying blood using a nanofibre mesh could prove useful as a cheap, wearable alternative to kidney dialysis.
Kidney failure results in a build-up of toxins and excess waste in the body. Dialysis is the most common treatment, carried out daily either at home or in hospital. However, dialysis machines require electricity and careful maintenance, and are therefore more readily available in developed countries than in poorer nations. Around one million people die each year worldwide from potentially preventable end-stage renal disease.
In addition to this, in the aftermath of disasters such as the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami, dialysis patients are frequently left without treatment until normal hospital services resume. With this in mind, Mitsuhiro Ebara and his colleagues at the International Centre for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science in Ibaraki, Japan, have developed a method for removing toxins and waste from the blood using a cheap, easy-to-produce nanofibre mesh¹. The mesh could be incorporated into a blood purification device small enough to be worn on a patient’s arm, reducing the need for expensive, time-consuming dialysis.
The team produced their nanofibre mesh using two components: a blood-compatible primary matrix polymer made from polyethylene-co-vinyl alcohol (EVOH), and several different types of zeolites – naturally occurring aluminosilicates. Zeolites have microporous structures capable of adsorbing toxins such as creatinine from the blood.
The researchers produced the mesh using a versatile and cost-effective process called electrospinning – using an electrical charge to draw fibres from a liquid. Ebara and his team found that the silicon-to-aluminium ratio within the zeolites is critical for creatinine adsorption. The beta-type 940-HOA zeolite had the highest capacity for toxin adsorption and shows potential as a final blood purification product.
Although the new design is still in its early stages and not yet ready for production, Ebara and his team are confident that a product based on their nanofibre mesh will soon be a feasible, compact and inexpensive alternative to dialysis for patients with kidney failure across the world.
Further information
Reference
K. Namekawa, M.T. Schreiber, T. Aoyagi, & M. Ebara. Fabrication of zeolite-polymer composite nanofibres for the removal of uraemic toxins from patients with kidney failure. Biomaterials Science (2014) doi: 10.1039/c3bm60263j
Affiliations
The researchers on this project are affiliated with the following institution: International Centre for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (WPI-MANA), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), 1-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044, Japan