Do Sterilization Processes Really Make Difference in Dialysis-Induced Genotoxicity?

Abstract

The major problem associated with hemodialysis (HD) therapy is the choice of dialyzer membrane matters as well as the mode of steriliza-tion required before utilization. In this context, we aimed to determine the effect of two sterilization processes (steam and gamma rays) on genotoxicity of polysulfone dialysis membranes. A 38-year-old man with end-stage renal disease and one age-matched healthy subject were enrolled in our study. We analyzed lipid peroxidation measured by serum malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and DNA fragmenta-tion assessed by agarose gel electrophoresis and diphenylamine quan-tification. Our results clearly showed that there is a rising generation of MDA and DNA fragmentation in patient sera during HD session when compared to healthy subject data. This increase in MDA and DNA fragmentation amounts followed respectively the sterilization process. As classified from the more biocompatible one, the steam sterilized polysulfone dialyzer is the top ranked, followed by the gamma rays sterilized one. We concluded that using steam instead of gamma rays for sterilization may improve the biocompatibility of polysulfone dialyzer membranes.