Neoangiogenesis in the peritoneal membrane.

OBJECTIVE This study reviews relevant publications on the peritoneal vasculature and tries to establish morphological-functional relationships. DESIGN The design is a review article. RESULTS Recent morphological studies in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients have shown the presence of diabetiform neoangiogenesis in long-term peritoneal dialysis. The same abnormalities could be induced in rats administered a high glucose dialysis solution daily for 20 weeks. The animals showed functional abnormalities in peritoneal transport similar to those found in long-term PD patients. Evidence was obtained in patients that vascular endothelial growth factor could be involved in glucose-induced peritoneal neoangiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS Diabetiform peritoneal neoangiogenesis is an important pathogenetic factor in ultrafiltration failure in long-term peritoneal dialysis patients.