Preparation and characterization of a thrombin inhibitor grafted polyethersulfone blending membrane with improved antithrombotic property

Systemic anticoagulation is indispensable for hemodialysis patients to prevent clotting, but patients at high risk of bleeding cannot be given systemic anticoagulation. Hemodialyzer membrane modification maybe an effective program to solve this problem. In this study, we chose argatroban, a direct thrombin inhibitor, to modify a polyethersulfone (PES) membrane. Firstly, we prepared an argatroban (AG) grafted polyethersulfone (PES-AG) matrix by acetylating, oxidating and amidation reactions. Then, PES-AG was blended with PES at ratios of 2 : 1 and 1 : 1 respectively to prepare a PES/PES-AG membrane by using a phase inversion technique. FTIR and H-1 NMR spectroscopy were used to confirm that argatroban was grafted to PES successfully. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the characteristic morphology of the membranes. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT) and platelet function were detected to evaluate the antithrombotic property of the modified membrane. The results indicate that the antithrombotic property of the PES/PES-AG (1 : 1) membrane was superior to other three groups.