Our results suggest that filtration LCP to remove leucocytes from the peripheral blood exerts an immunomodulatory effect in patients with RA.

No abstract

In recent years, polyethylene and polysulfone membranes have been used for plasma separation in Japan. The polyethylene membrane, manufactured by melt spinning method, has a sponge-like symmetric structure. The plasma separator Plasmaflo OP (Asahi Medical, Tokyo, Japan) with a polyethylene membrane shows excellent performance and safety for plasma separation. More than 20 indications for therapeutic plasmapheresis are reimbursed in Japan. Future development is expected in new membrane designs for new indications or advanced plasmapheresis methodologies.

Leukocytapheresis therapy has been used to try to treat such intractable diseases as autoimmune and neurologic diseases, achieving good results. However, a number of problems have been identified in leukocyte removal by thoracic duct drainage or continuous centrifugal separation; namely the high risk, expensive cost, and complicated operation. Asahi Medical Co. has developed an innovative solution for such conventional problems. Its new leukocyte removal filter (Cellsorba) is capable of removing white blood cells by perfusion of whole blood by means of simple extracorporeal circulation. Leukocytapheresis therapy using the Cellsorba column is being confirmed as extremely effective for many inflammatory diseases, as well as in autoimmune and neurologic diseases. This paper outlines information about the Cellsorba column and introduces several reports on therapeutic results.

A new type of blood component collector (BCC) was developed to divide 450 ml of whole blood into plasma and a red cell concentrate using gravity without electrical devices. This BCC system is composed of one whole blood collection bag, two product collection bags and a plasma separator, which consists of a bundle of hydrophilized polyethylene hollow fibers (0.2 pm pore size). Without rinsing the plasma separator, the whole blood (458.1±13.5 ml, n = 22) was run through the separator using gravity without a pump. An average of 175.9 ml of plasma was collected within 11 min without hemolysis. In this completely cell-free plasma, the recovery of total protein, albumin, globulin, IgG and IgA was nearly 100%. Prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were in a normal range and the activity of coagulation factors did not change after the separation. In the red cell concentrate, the recovery of red cells, white cells and platelets was 94.7, 98.4 and 82.7%, respectively. Osmotic fragility of red cells, platelet morphology and functions did not change. These observations suggest that this new type of BCC is useful as a simple, fast and safe component collector.