Removal of low and middle molecular weight toxins by activated carbon materials

Abstract

Haemoperfusion (HP), or blood purification via adsorption, has been introduced almost at the same time as haemodialysis in 1960s. HP compared to dialysis does not introduce any substances into the body and only removes the target molecules. Here, we research properties of activated carbon (AC) materials for HP purposes, which can efficiently adsorb substances in a broad range of molecular weights. Removing these substances individually, e.g., by selective antibodies is prohibitively expensive and inefficient due to their short life-time in blood circulation. And, dialysis and ultrafiltration are unable to remove these low and middle molecular weight (LMW, MMW) substances efficiently. Here, we assess adsorption of uremic toxins: p-cresyl sulfate, indoxyl sulfate, and urea.