In Lab Studies, Hydroxyethyl Starch Has Direct Harmful Effects On Kidney Cells

Saturday, July 12, 2014 - 00:00 in Health & Medicine

July 11, 2014 – The increased risk of kidney injury related to the use of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) in resuscitation fluids reflects the mass of HES molecules, according to a report in Anesthesia & Analgesia, official journal of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS). The "total mass of HES molecules" explains the harmful effect of HES on cultured human renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs), concludes the laboratory study by Dr Christian Wunder and colleagues of University Hospital Würzburg, Austria. Other factors—such as differences in the origin or molecular weight of HES solutions—appear to play little or no role in cellular-level toxicity of HES. What Factors Affect Toxic Effects of HES on Kidney Cells? read more

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