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At the end of 2005, more than 300,000 Americans depended on hemodialysis to replace lost kidney function. Despite this impressive statistic, hemodialysis remains an imperfect therapy that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The nature of the retention solutes, and the interactions between the patient and the dialyzer and dialysate, responsible for the high morbidity and mortality associated with long-term hemodialysis are poorly understood.

Our clinical and laboratory research is aimed at increasing understanding of uremia and the hemodialysis procedure with the objective of improving long-term outcomes for hemodialysis patients. Clinical research projects include studies of factors affecting the removal of small proteins thought to be important uremic toxins, including membrane and dialyzer properties; solute transfer between body compartments; and, the role of convective solute removal. Although β2-microglobulin is frequently used as a representative of small protein uremic toxins, we also have the capability of examining larger proteins, including complement factor D and immunoglobulin light chains, in these studies.

Laboratory research projects are centered on the role of neutrophils in the oxidant stress associated with chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis. This work is related to basic laboratory research in neutrophil biology being performed in collaboration with Drs. Ken McLeish and Silvia Uriarte. We are interested in determining how neutrophils are activated in hemodialysis patients and at defining strategies to reduce that activation and its associated oxidant stress.

Research Technicians
Karen Brinkley, M.S.