Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Co-Polymer as a High-Performance Membrane: An EVOH Membrane with Excellent Biocompatibility

Abstract

Over the last few years, with an increase in the number of patients receiving long-term dialysis and elderly patients on dialysis, the frequency of cardiovascular complications and complications associated with long-term dialysis have increased sharply. As a result, dialysis treatment must be capable of reducing oxidative stress and mitigating the inflammatory response. The ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) co-polymer is a hydrophilic and uncharged synthetic polymer blend. EVOH membranes have a smooth surface and retain structural water, so they adsorb few plasma proteins. Dialysis using an EVOH membrane results in minimal platelet activation and little generation of reactive oxygen species by activated neutrophils. Consequently, patients have good peripheral circulation. As a result, fluid containing uremic toxins moves readily from the intracellular compartment to the intravascular compartment through the interstitial space. In addition, these membranes cause minimal activation of coagulation during dialysis; therefore, genes encoding monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-6) are expressed at low levels. Thus, treatment involving an EVOH membrane can be expected to help alleviate cardiovascular complications and complications of dialysis.