ABSTRACT
Chronic kidney disease is a worldwide health crisis. Ten percent of the world’s population is affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD), and millions die each year because they lack access to affordable treatment (World Kidney Day, 2017). The number of CKD patients undergoing diagnosis and treatment continues to rise at a rate of 5-7% per year. These individuals require renal replacement therapy, in the absence of which, dialysis is the only other option for their survival. Hemodialysis involves the removal of uremic toxins present in blood by a hollow fiber membrane module, which permeates creatinine, urea, uric acid and other metabolic toxins into a dialysate fluid by means of concentration gradient aided diffusion. The disadvantage of dialysis, however, is the transport of other small molecules, such as peptides and RNA, which are important for a patient’s overall health. Uremic toxins are not entirely removed during dialysis. Blood anticoagulants are introduced into the dialysate solution to prevent formation of blood clots, albeit with some side effects. Owing to these drawbacks, patients are often languished, post-dialysis. Heparinization of dialysis fibers renders inbuilt anticoagulant properties to the hemodialyzer whereas, incorporation of living membranes on fiber walls could have a huge impact on the treatment of CKD. Living membranes are prepared by the immobilization of human epithelial cells onto dialyzing hollow fibers that act as artificial kidneys and improve the life span of CKD patients.
