Development and characterization of modified polysulfone hemodialysis membranes by means of immobilized neutrophil elastase inhibitors

Charles University Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Analysis University of Porto Faculty of Pharmacy Department of Chemical Sciences Department of Biological Sciences Candidate: Kristína Morgošová Supervisor: assoc. prof. PharmDr. Radim Kučera, Ph.D. Consultants: prof. Maria da Conceição Branco da Silva, Ph.D. prof. Maria Alice dos Santos Silva Gomes Martins, Ph.D. Susana Maria Santos Rocha, Ph.D. Title of diploma thesis: Development and characterization of modified polysulfone hemodialysis membranes by means of immobilized neutrophil elastase inhibitors. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health and financial burden, mainly because of the costly renal replacement therapy and treatment associated. The last stage, end-stage renal disease, is associated with high morbidity and mortality rate, generally due to cardiovascular complications. Chronic inflammation is frequently present in CKD patients, which is enhanced by the long term intra-dialytic recurrent contact between blood and hemodialysis (HD) membrane and further contributes to development of atherosclerosis. Contact with the artificial material of HD membranes leads to oxidative stress and neutrophil activation with release of neutrophil serine proteases such as human..