Modulation of Vascular Calcification in Chronic Dialysis Patients

Modulation of Vascular Calcification in Chronic Dialysis Patients

50 patients will be randomized and treated with MCO or highflux dialysis for six months (24 weeks) after a run-in phase of 4 weeks Highflux treatment.

Serum samples will be drawn at baseline, after 4, 8 and 24 weeks.

Later, calcifiying vascular smooth muscle cells will be incubated with these serum samples and calcification will be assessed with Alkaline phosphatase and Alizarin staining.

Primary endpoint:

In vitro Calcification of coronary vascular smooth muscle cells (Alkaline Phosphatase/ WST8) after six months

Calcifiying vascular smooth muscle cells will be incubated with serum samples obtained after six months of MCO/HF dialysis and calcification will be assessed with Alkaline phosphatase and WST8.

Secondary Endpoints:

Aortic Pulse wave velocity after 6 months Calcification propensity after 6 months Physical activity level after 6 months

Cell culture: Incubation of VSMC with serum samples obtained after 6 months

• Alizarin staining/WST-8
• Measurement of calcification inhibitors Osteopontin and Matrix Gla Protein in Supernatants
• Apoptosis

The treatment regimen of the patients will not be altered, hence blood flow, dialysate flow as well as dialysis time will remain constant.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 years an older
• Chronic dialysis patients for at least 3 months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Serum albumin <32g/L at the last routine albumin measurement
• Pregnancy