Adsorption of Blood Creatinine on a Heparin-Functionalized Surface of Copper-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks.

Abstract

Introduction: Creatinine accumulation exacerbates outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD). To enhance creatinine removal and improve hemocompatibility, we developed heparin-functionalized copper-based metal-organic frameworks (CuMOFs-Hep).

Methods: CuMOFs were heparinized via APTES bridging and characterized (XRD, SEM, FTIR, XPS, and zeta potential). Adsorption was evaluated in simulated CKD serum and was fitted with isotherm models. Whole-blood samples from patients/healthy donors were tested. Biosafety was assessed by Cu²⁺ leaching and platelet assays.

Results: Heparinization increased surface negative charge and raised the maximum capacity to 267.8 mg g^-1 (68.7% over pristine; Langmuir R ² = 0.983). Adsorption kinetics studies indicate rapid clearance of creatinine, achieving a clearance rate of 65.9% within 30 min at 37°C and reaching 75.0% within 2 h. In patient blood (854.2 μmol/L), supernatant creatinine decreased to 163.2 μmol/L (80.9% removal). Cu²⁺ leaching dropped to 0.214 ppm (-89.9%), with reduced platelet adhesion/activation.

Conclusion: CuMOFs-Hep enables efficient, low-leaching creatinine adsorption in clinically relevant matrices, highlighting its promising potential as an efficient adsorbent for blood purification applications.