title: Low-density lipoprotein removal methods by membranes and future perspectives.
abstract: Since the application by Thompson et al. in 1975 of plasma exchange for the treatment of 2 patients with familial hyperlipidemia, plasma purification techniques for selective low-density lipoprotein (LDL) removal (i.e., LDL apheresis) have been developed and adopted for the management of this disease. Thermofiltration is one of the LDL apheresis systems that utilizes membrane techniques developed by Nose and Malchesky's group in 1985. This article reviews its rationale, in vitro studies, animal studies, and clinical investigation. Thermofiltration effectively and selectively removes LDL cholesterol while retaining in the plasma physiologically important macromolecules such as albumin and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Based on the global view of the treatment of atherosclerosis by LDL apheresis, membrane techniques are as effective, safe, and simpler to apply than other methods. Additionally, these methods are effective for the removal of lipoprotein (a) and fibrinogen; thus, they can address the needs in these application areas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsuda
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Malchesky
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nosé
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000628:therapy*; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016264:Dextran Sulfate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005374:Filtration; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007164:Immunosorbents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010316:Particle Size; D010956:Plasmapheresis / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D015243:Cholesterol, VLDL; D007164:Immunosorbents; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D006493:Heparin; D016264:Dextran Sulfate