Mathematical models for peritoneal transport characteristics

Four mathematical models and for the description of peritoneal transport of fluid solutes are reviewed. The membrane model is usually applied for (1) separation of transport components, (2) formulation of the relationship between flow components and their driving forces, and (3) estimation of transport parameters. The three-pore model provides correct relationships between various transport parameters and demonstrates that the peritoneal membrane should be considered heteroporous. The extended threepore model discriminates between heteroporous capillary wall and tissue layer, which are assumed to be arranged in series; the model improves and modifies the results of the three-pore model. The distributed model includes all parameters involved in peritoneal transport and takes into account the real structure of the tissue with capillaries distributed at various distances from the surface of the tissue