Source(google.com.pk)
Kidney Function Biography
Haemodialysis is of vital importance for people with poorly functioning kidneys. If the kidneys are unable to do their job properly, such as removing waste products from the blood, haemodialysis offers, at least temporarily, a solution. During dialysis the blood is purified via a membrane. This process is highly burdensome for the patient and a very expensive method of treatment. Moreover, the ‘cleaning’ is inadequate. Large, protein-bound waste products are poorly removed by haemodialysis or sometimes not at all. In the human body, these substances are normally eliminated by the nephrons. Today’s haemodialysis equipment lacks this component of the kidney function, causing an accumulation of certain waste products. This partly explains why haemodialysis patients develop severe health complaints and require frequent hospital visits. What can we do about it? The ideal solution is kidney transplantation. Unfortunately, this is an option from which not enough people can benefit yet. Every improvement of haemodialysis is therefore extremely welcome.
Better haemodialysis
Work is now underway on the so-called BioKid, a bioreactor of kidney cells to remove toxins that remain after haemodialysis. The bioreactor is a good supplement to present-day haemodialysis and can make the lives of many kidney patients much more tolerable. In effect, BioKid mimics the function and operation of our nephrons. We can achieve this with ‘live membranes’ from special polymers that are covered with a bioactive layer on which human kidney cells can grow. Aside from these smart membranes, we have generated special long-lived kidney cells. With an innovative culture system that is also being developed these kidney cells can be widely used in the hospital or in the clinic. BioKid is an outstanding aid in improving the quality of haemodialysis treatments and in reducing the risk of complications such as cardiovascular problems resulting from the accumulation of toxic waste products. However, it will still take several years before the research is completed and this technique can actually be applied in patients.
Kidney Function Biography
Haemodialysis is of vital importance for people with poorly functioning kidneys. If the kidneys are unable to do their job properly, such as removing waste products from the blood, haemodialysis offers, at least temporarily, a solution. During dialysis the blood is purified via a membrane. This process is highly burdensome for the patient and a very expensive method of treatment. Moreover, the ‘cleaning’ is inadequate. Large, protein-bound waste products are poorly removed by haemodialysis or sometimes not at all. In the human body, these substances are normally eliminated by the nephrons. Today’s haemodialysis equipment lacks this component of the kidney function, causing an accumulation of certain waste products. This partly explains why haemodialysis patients develop severe health complaints and require frequent hospital visits. What can we do about it? The ideal solution is kidney transplantation. Unfortunately, this is an option from which not enough people can benefit yet. Every improvement of haemodialysis is therefore extremely welcome.
Better haemodialysis
Work is now underway on the so-called BioKid, a bioreactor of kidney cells to remove toxins that remain after haemodialysis. The bioreactor is a good supplement to present-day haemodialysis and can make the lives of many kidney patients much more tolerable. In effect, BioKid mimics the function and operation of our nephrons. We can achieve this with ‘live membranes’ from special polymers that are covered with a bioactive layer on which human kidney cells can grow. Aside from these smart membranes, we have generated special long-lived kidney cells. With an innovative culture system that is also being developed these kidney cells can be widely used in the hospital or in the clinic. BioKid is an outstanding aid in improving the quality of haemodialysis treatments and in reducing the risk of complications such as cardiovascular problems resulting from the accumulation of toxic waste products. However, it will still take several years before the research is completed and this technique can actually be applied in patients.
Kidney Function
Kidney Function
Kidney Function
Kidney Function
Kidney Function
Kidney Function
Kidney Function
Kidney Function
Kidney Function
Kidney Function
Kidney Function
Kidney Function
Kidney Function
