title: Oral supplementation with sulodexide inhibits neo-angiogenesis in a rat model of peritoneal perfusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is associated with functional and morphological alterations of the peritoneal membrane (PM). It is hypothesized that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a role in this process. Sulodexide is a glycosaminoglycan with effects on vascular biology. Therefore, the impact of oral sulodexide on PM function and morphology in a rat model of peritoneal perfusion was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats received 10 mL peritoneal dialysate fluid (PDF) twice daily via a tunnelled PD catheter. The test-PD group (Sul) received 15 mg/kg/day oral sulodexide versus none in the control-PD group (Con). A third group received no PDF (Sham). After 12 weeks, a peritoneal equilibration test was performed and the PM was sampled. Neo-angiogenesis was evaluated using immunostaining with von Willebrand, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) using co-localization of cytokeratin and α-smooth muscle actin. VEGF was determined in the dialysate by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PD induced loss of ultrafiltration, also in the sulodexide group. Creatinine and glucose transport were better preserved, and sodium dip was more pronounced in the sulodexide group versus control. Submesothelial thickness, neo-angiogenesis and EMT were more pronounced in the Con versus Sul versus Sham group. VEGF in the dialysate, corrected for diffusion was higher in Con and Sul versus Sham.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral sulodexide administration diminishes neo-vascularization, submesothelial thickening and EMT induced by exposure to PDF in a rat model. As there was no difference in VEGF at the protein level in the dialysate, we hypothesize that oral sulodexide inhibits VEGF locally by binding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Anneleen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pletinck
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Landschoot
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Steppan
authors.forename: Debby
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Laukens
authors.forename: Jutta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Passlick-Deetjen
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vanholder
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Van Biesen
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D015314:Dialysis Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D056627:Peritoneal Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012016:Reference Values; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015314:Dialysis Solutions; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C007858:glucuronyl glucosamine glycan sulfate