Novel Approaches to Blood Purification

Abstract

The old idea of the blood purification of a diseased body has acquired a new sense and real possibilities over the last two decades. There are at least two sources for this phenomenon: deeper insights into pathological processes of diseases based on rapid progress in biochemistry, immunology and the genetic sciences, and the development of numerous separation techniques also suitable for blood constituents, particularly for plasma components. A straightforward line can be seen from separation techniques such as plasmapheresis/plasma exchange over cryofiltration, cascade filtration methods and the use of broad-based adsorbents such as charcoal up to the development of selective and specific adsorbents for the binding of only a few components or even one certain plasma constituent. The selective and/or specific removal of pathologically relevant components without any influence on other plasma substances is the aim of a modern plasma treatment therapy. For these purposes, various adsorbents have been developed. Table 1 gives examples of specific immunoadsorbents acting on the principle of the antigen-antibody reaction. (For the research groups see references.) Work in Rostock has involved investigations relating to the development of selective adsorbents. This publication describes aspects of this research.