application) Cardiovascular disease and bacterial infections are the leading causes of death in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis (HD). Besides the high prevalence of well established risk factors, these patients are in a state of heightened oxidative stress, characterized by excessive free radical production and/or low antioxidant defenses. The principal hypothesis of this proposal is that exposure of polymorphonuclear cells to the dialysis membrane in the extracorporeal circuit, triggers production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to increased apoptosis and phagocytic cell dysfunction, as well as oxidative endothelial cell injury. Furthermore, the increasingly routine use of parenteral iron, a potent promoter of toxic free radical generation, in these patients may enhance oxidative stress-induced cell injury and dysfunction. This proposal will address these concerns using in vitro models to evaluate the impact of dialysis membrane biocompatibility and various iron preparations on indices of oxidative stress, cell injury and apoptosis. These models will involve PMN (healthy vs. uremic) activation by exposure to dialysis membrane fragments of varying composition plus and minus iron or ROS inhibitors, as well as during circulation through an in vitro dialysis circuit. In addition, a co-culture model will be utilized to assess the effects of dialysis membrane-activated PMN on reporter monolayers of cultured human endothelial cells (plus and minus excess iron) grown under static and flow conditions. The results of this proposal are expected to enhance our understanding of the pathogenesis of ROS-induced cell injury and dysfunction and lay the foundation for the development of novel strategies to combat atherogenesis, vascular access and immune dysfunction in this vulnerable population. The Principal Investigator has designed a comprehensive series of studies to evaluate the hypotheses enunciated in this proposal, and is well qualified to carry them through to completion. In addition to a strong background in clinical nephrology, he has an established track record in laboratory research, and is the recipient of a Ph.D. He is mentored by investigators with extensive experience in laboratory research and advised by a panel of internationally renowned investigators in immune function, endothelial cell biology, free radical and antioxidant research. Within a limited time, he and his mentor have put together an infrastructure tailored to achieve the goals of this proposal. The practical experience from the research proposed, and the comprehensive education program outlined are expected to build on the candidate's current skills and experience, and facilitate his transition to an independent investigator in basic research in the field of nephrology.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08DK002819-04
Application #
6788064
Study Section
Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases B Subcommittee (DDK)
Program Officer
Rankin, Tracy L
Project Start
2001-06-01
Project End
2006-04-30
Budget Start
2004-05-01
Budget End
2005-04-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$128,250
Indirect Cost
Name
Tufts University
Department
Type
DUNS #
079532263
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02111
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Balakrishnan, Vaidyanathapuram S; Rao, Madhumati (2007) Genetics and reverse epidemiology among patients on chronic hemodialysis. Semin Dial 20:570-6
Kalantar-Zadeh, Kamyar; Balakrishnan, Vaidyanathapuram S (2006) The kidney disease wasting: inflammation, oxidative stress, and diet-gene interaction. Hemodial Int 10:315-25
Kwack, Christina; Balakrishnan, Vaidyanathapuram S (2006) Managing erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness. Semin Dial 19:146-51
Perianayagam, M C; Morena, M; Jaber, B L et al. (2005) Anti-oxidants reverse uraemia-induced down-regulation of mitochondrial membrane potential and interleukin-10 production. Eur J Clin Invest 35:148-53
Balakrishnan, Vaidyanathapuram S; Rao, Madhumathi; Jaber, Bertrand L et al. (2005) Genomic medicine, gene polymorphisms, and human biological diversity. Semin Dial 18:37-40
Rao, Madhumathi; Guo, Daqing; Jaber, Bertrand L et al. (2004) Dialyzer membrane type and reuse practice influence polymorphonuclear leukocyte function in hemodialysis patients. Kidney Int 65:682-91
Balakrishnan, Vaidyanathapuram S; Blumberg, Jeffrey; Pereira, Brian J G et al. (2003) Antioxidant and oxidative stress indices in dialysis-dependent acute renal failure. Blood Purif 21:213-9
Guo, D; Jaber, B L; Lee, S et al. (2002) Impact of iron dextran on polymorphonuclear cell function among hemodialysis patients. Clin Nephrol 58:134-42