title: In vitro study of peritoneal fibrosis.
abstract: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is an important issue in peritoneal dialysis (PD) because it remains one of the leading causes of patient drop-out from PD. In this review, we focus on in vitro approaches to the pathogenesis and therapeutic potential of PF and on associated clinical implications. Representative Asian studies, initiated since mid-1990s, that have investigated matrix accumulation in peritoneal tissue possibly leading to PF in the PD population will be highlighted as examples to learn how to apply this research tool. As compared with data from well-designed clinical trials, observations from in vitro models may be far from becoming solid evidence; however, they do cast new light on options for investigations into therapeutic pharmaceuticals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuan-Yu
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Kuan-Dun
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Tun-Jun
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D015314:Dialysis Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D015314:Dialysis Solutions; D018836:Inflammation Mediators