Mechanisms and interventions in peritoneal fibrosis.

Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan. yasu@juntendo.ac.jp

Clinical and experimental nephrology 2012 Feb

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Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an attractive treatment for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). However, long-term peritoneal dialysis is associated with development of functional and structural alterations of the peritoneal membrane. Several factors are implicated in the development of peritoneal fibrosis in PD patients. Inflammatory cytokines, which are induced in the peritoneal cavity during peritonitis, may also induce chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is generally considered to play an important role in peritoneal fibrosis. The objective of this review is to summarize the mechanisms of peritoneal fibrosis using in vitro and in vivo studies, and the current status and future prospects of interventions in the peritoneal fibrosis.