In vitro, in vivo studies of a new amphiphilic adsorbent for the removal of low-density lipoprotein

A new amphiphilic adsorbent for the removal of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was prepared according to the literature (Artif. Cells Blood Subs., Immob. Biotechnol. 30 (4) (2002) 285). The effects of sulfonation and grafting time of cholesterol on the swelling property of adsorbent were studied. When sulfonation and grafting time of cholesterol was 3 and 5 h, respectively, the amphiphilic adsorbent had a high adsorption capacity for LDL without significantly adsorbing high-density lipoprotein. The adsorption capacity of the adsorbent for the removal of LDL, total cholesterol (TC) and TG was 1.916, 2.132, 1.349 mg/ml, respectively. Hyperlipidemia rabbits were developed by feeding with fodder containing high content of cholesterol or yolk, which was then perfused with an optimal amount of amphiphilic adsorbent. After 2h hemoperfusion, the LDL levels decreased from 3.619+/-0.354 to 0.724+/-0.07 mmol/l, which showed that the adsorbent could effectively remove LDL without side effect. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.