Potential Effect of Dialyzer Leaching of BPA From the Fresenius Optiflux 160NR Compared to the Nipro ELISIO-15H

The investigators propose to elucidate any eventual biochemical changes, and in particular, the in vivo estrogenic activity of BPA (Bisphenol-A), when BPA is being leached into the circulation by the Fresenius 160NR dialyzer as opposed to the same biochemical changes when there is no BPA being leached, as with the non-BPA containing Nipro Elisio-15H dialyzer. The estrogen dependent biochemical end points in humans include free testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and thyroid binding globulin (TBG).

Inclusion criteria

• Male ESRD patients 18 years or older
• Stable on hemodialysis for more than 3 months
• Stable hematocrit equal to or above 29 %
• Stable vascular access
• Stable anticoagulation
• No active infection
• Able to sign informed consent and able to participate in the study
• Medically stable

Exclusion criteria

• Participation in another study which may interfere with the planned study
• Active infection
• Medical conditions which may interfere with the study (unstable cardiac status, chronic liver disease, active hepatitis as defined by elevated liver enzymes)
• Females (It is expected that potential changes in estrogenic activity that might be seen in patients exposed to BPA will be modest and would be masked by naturally occurring variability of estrogen activity in women at varying stages of gonadal activity (pre, post-menopausal, different points in menstrual cycle, eventual pregnancy, etc). Thus, limiting study to adult males will maximize the possibility of detecting any changes in estrogenic activity.)