Covalent Heparin Modification of a Polysulfone Flat Sheet Membrane for Selective Removal of Low‐Density Lipoproteins: A Simple and Versatile Method

Abstract

A simple, convenient and economical method for the heparinization of PSf membranes is described, with the aim of preparing an LDL adsorber for simultaneous LDL apheresis and hemodialysis. An atmospheric pressure glow discharge generator is used to activate the PSf membrane surface, with subsequent chemical binding of heparin in the presence of EDC and NHS. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and XPS measurements confirm successful surface modification. The PSf-Hep membrane shows good blood compatibility, with a relatively low amount and normal morphology of adherent platelets. ELISA results indicate that the PSf-Hep membrane exhibits excellent selective affinity for LDL in single and binary protein solutions, suggesting potential applications in hemodialysis with simultaneous LDL removal.

A heparin modified polypropylene non‐woven fabric membrane adsorbent for selective removal of low density lipoprotein from plasma

“…Under that condition, 33.3 ± 2.9 µg of LDL‐C, 14.7 ± 1.9 µg of HDL‐C, 64.9 ± 4.3 µg of TC, and 202.4 ± 5.7 µg of TG were removed from human plasma per square centimeter of the P 0.45 –A 15 –H membrane. Although it is hard to directly compare our results with the related ones due to the different forms of adsorbent, human plasma, and adsorption conditions, our adsorbent membranes exhibited satisfactory static adsorption properties, especially taking into account the normal lipoprotein levels used in our test.…”

“…LDL‐apheresis, however, has been proven to be useful and powerful in treating FH patients and those who cannot be sufficiently treated by diet and drugs . LDL apheresis is a technique of extracorporeal lipoprotein elimination of pathologically accumulated LDL‐C . The key to this technique is to look for good adsorbents with excellent adsorption capacity, high selectivity, good hemocompatibility and biocompatibility, adequate mechanical and physical properties, low‐price, and without toxicity.…”

“…For example, the most popular LDL adsorbent at present, the Liposorber system (Kaneka, Japan) which has been used since 1987, consists of porous cellulose beads coupled with dextran sulfate . In addition to beads, a membrane is another adsorbent carrier for LDL apheresis technique that has being attracted much attention in the past few decades . Very recently, J. Li et al .…”

“…Very recently, J. Li et al . reported a heparin‐modified polysulfone membrane for selective removal of LDL …”

Glycosylated membranes: A promising biomimetic material

“…A heparin density up to 0.86 μg/cm 2 was achieved on the PSF membrane surface. Besides, PSF membranes were also treated with ammonia plasma, and then heparin was bound on the membranes through the reaction between the amino groups of membranes and the carboxyl groups of heparin in the presence of EDC and NHS …”