In vitro evaluation of dextran sulfate cellulose beads for whole blood infusion low-density lipoprotein-hemoperfusion.

We describe results from a feasibility study of a newly developed low-density lipoprotein (LDL) adsorbent designed for use in whole-blood infusion LDL-hemoperfusion. The adsorbent has almost the same chemical structure as the Liposorber adsorbent (dextran sulfate cellulose beads) but has a larger particle size. In whole-blood perfusion tests, the adsorbent adsorbed atherogenic LDL cholesterol directly from whole blood but left concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol largely unchanged. In whole-blood perfusion tests using fresh human donor blood or bovine blood anticoagulated with acid citrate dextrose solution or sodium citrate, the adsorbent showed minimal side effects in terms of blood cell activation, complement activation, and blood cell loss, suggesting that it has excellent blood compatibility. In addition, the adsorbent showed mechanical stability and absence of hemolysis. In conclusion, the new adsorbent showed the appropriate characteristics for an LDL adsorbent column for use in whole-blood infusion LDL-hemoperfusion.