CARBOHYDRATE COMPOSITION FOR DIALYSIS

Abstract

Carbohydrate compositions for dialysis and methods of making and using them are provided.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A composition, comprising: a) a compound that is selected from the group consisting of maltose, glycerol, an amino acid, an oligopeptide, or a mixture of one or more thereof, in a content of 5 to 75 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), b) glucose in a content of less than the content of a), and in a total content of less than 5 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), c) glucan molecules of DP 3 and DP 4, taken together, in a content of less than of the content of a), d) glucan molecules of DP>4 in a content to give 100 wt-% together with a), b) and c), wherein glucan molecules of DP>10 are present in an amount of 15-80 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), glucan molecules of DP>24 are present in an amount of 2-60 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), glucan molecules of DP>55 are present in an amount of less than 15 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d).

22. The composition of claim 21, wherein the weight average molecular weight of a)-d), taken together, is Mw 0.8-15 kD and the number average molecular weight of a)-d), taken together, is Mn 0.2-3 kD.

23. The composition of claim 21, wherein glucan molecules of DP>111 are present in an amount of less than 1.5 wt-%.

24. The composition of one or more of the preceding claims, wherein glucan molecules of DP>246 are present in an amount of less than 0.6 wt-%.

25. The composition of claim 21, wherein glucan molecules of DP>10 are present in an amount of 20-80 wt-%.

26. The composition of claim 21, wherein glucan molecules of DP>10 are present in an amount of 35-80 wt-%.

27. The composition of claim 21, comprising the glucose in a content of less than the content of a).

28. The composition of claim 21, comprising the glucose in a content of at least 0.1 wt-%.

29. The composition of claim 21, comprising the glucan molecules of DP 3 and DP 4, taken together, in a content of less than of the content of a).

30. The composition of claim 21, comprising the glucan molecules of DP 3 and DP 4, taken together, in a content of at least 0.1 wt-%.

31. The composition of claim 21, comprising the compound a), or mixture of compounds of a) in a content of 8 to 65 wt-%.

32. The composition of claim 21, comprising the glucan molecules of DP>4 in a content of more than 16 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d).

33. The composition of claim 21, wherein the glucan molecules are derivatized.

34. The composition of claim 21, wherein component a) is maltose.

35. A liquid aqueous composition, comprising the composition of claim 21 and water.

36. The liquid aqueous composition of claim 14, having an osmolality of 280 to 450 mosm/kg.

37. The composition of claim 21 or a liquid aqueous composition, wherein the composition is for use as a medicament or for use in therapy, and wherein the liquid aqueous composition comprises: a) a compound that is selected from the group consisting of maltose, glycerol, an amino acid, an oligopeptide, or a mixture of one or more thereof, in a content of 5 to 75 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), b) glucose in a content of less than the content of a), and in a total content of less than 5 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), c) glucan molecules of DP 3 and DP 4, taken together, in a content of less than of the content of a), d) glucan molecules of DP>4 in a content to give 100 wt-% together with a), b) and e), wherein glucan molecules of DP>10 are present in an amount of 15-80 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), glucan molecules of DP>24 are present in an amount of 2-60 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), glucan molecules of DP>55 are present in an amount of less than 15 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d); and water.

38. A composition according to claim 21 or a liquid aqueous composition, comprising: wherein the composition or aqueous composition is for use as at least one member selected from the group consisting of a peritoneal therapeutic fluid or solution; dialysis fluid or solution; particularly peritoneal dialysis fluid or solution; a gastroenterological solution; a nutritional solution; a nutritional infusion; a drug administration solution; a detoxifying solution; a physiological substitute or additive preparation particularly for physiological body fluids, more particularly as substitute or addition for blood, plasma, serum or interstitial body fluids; a fluids that is substitute or addition for blood, plasma, serum or interstitial body fluids; an adhesion reducing solution after surgery; a solution for clyster; a laxative; an osmotic agent; an infant dietetic; an agent with reduced cytotoxicity and a treatment for a renal disease; and wherein the liquid aqueous composition comprises: a) a compound that is selected from the group consisting of maltose, glycerol, an amino acid, an oligopeptide, or a mixture of one or more thereof, in a content of 5 to 75 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), b) glucose in a content of less than the content of a), and in a total content of less than 5 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), c) glucan molecules of DP 3 and DP 4, taken together, in a content of less than of the content of a), d) glucan molecules of DP>4 in a content to give 100 wt-% together with a), b) and c), wherein glucan molecules of DP>10 are present in an amount of 15-80 wt-% of the total weight of a-d), glucan molecules of DP>24 are present in an amount of 2-60 wt-% of the total weight of a-d), glucan molecules of DP>55 are present in an amount of less than 15 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d); and water.

39. A method for producing a liquid aqueous composition according to claim 35, the method comprising the steps of: preparing an aqueous solution of starch, having a solids content of from 10 wt-% to 60 wt-%; gelatinization, by treating said solution successively with a specific combination of enzymes selected from the group consisting of an amyloglucosidase and an amylase; purifying the solution; fractionating the solution in such a way as to eliminate or decrease molecular weight saccharide fractions having a molecular weight higher than 40000 D and to recover the other fractions; adding a compound that is selected from the group consisting of maltose, glycerol, an amino acid, an oligopeptide, or a mixture of one or more thereof, and optionally glucose wherein the liquid aqueous composition is obtained.

40. A container or kit comprising at least one compartment containing the composition of claim 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0141] Embodiments described in this detailed description can be combined in any combination sub-combination in this invention.

[0142] The composition may be abi-modal composition, which means that in the molecular weight distribution two peaks are present, one peak in a smaller molecular weight region and one and a higher molecular weight region. In this aspect, the composition may comprise a glucan (preferably an alpha-glucan) polymer preparation, preferentially a maltodextrin or a maltodextrin derivative, and as further components may comprise one or several of: maltose, glucose, glycerol, amino-acid, and/or oligopeptide, which may be added to the polymer preparation. For example, in peritoneal dialysis, abi-modal osmotic agent maybe a maltodextrin preparation (for example Icodextrin), to which maltose, glucose, glycerol, amino-acid, and/or oligopeptide, is added.

[0143] Even if the singular term amino acid or peptide is used herein, the plural, particularly a mixture of these, is encompassed.

[0144] The term polymer is intended to encompass also oligomers.

[0145] A preferred glucan is dextrin, dextran and/or derivatives of such. A preferred dextrin is maltodextrin.

[0146] The composition may be a solid composition. The composition may be a dry composition. The composition may be obtained by drying a liquid aqueous composition which can be obtained by a method of the invention as described hereinafter.

[0147] The composition of the invention may comprise further ingredients, such as one or more of: salts, other compounds than defined in a)-d), trace elements, enzymes, other osmotic agents, and/or active pharmaceutical ingredients. Preferably, components a)-d) is at least 90 wt-% of the total composition, even more preferably at least 95 wt-%, more preferably at least 98 wt-%.

[0148] In a further related aspect claimed compositions may be mixed with other osmotic agents.

[0149] The glucan molecules of DP>10. DP>24, DP>55, or still further glucan molecules mentioned below with higher DP, are part or fractions of component d) which are the glucan molecules with DP>4.

[0150] If ranges of components b) (glucose) or c) (glucan molecules of DP 3 and DP 4) are indicated with the expression less than, a lower limit of such range is more than 0 wt-%, preferably at least 0.01 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), more preferably at least 0.1 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d). So, components b) and c) are always present.

[0151] If ranges of other components are indicated with the expression less than, a lower limit of such range is preferably more than 0 wt-%, more preferably at least 0.01 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), even more preferably at least 0.1 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d).

[0152] Mw of the composition is Mw 0.8-15 kD, preferably Mw 1-10 kD, more preferably 1.2-6.2 kD or 1.0-6.2 kD, more preferably the range of 1.4-6 kD, more preferably 1.6 to 5.8 kD. Other possible ranges are 1.3-6 kD, 1.5-5.8 kD, 1.5 to 5 kD.

[0153] These ranges of Mw can be combined with any ranges of Mn. Mn of the composition is preferably 0.2-3 kD, preferably the range of 0.3 to 3 KD, more preferably 0.5 to 3 KD or 0.7-3 kD, more preferably 0.8-2.7 kD, more preferably 0.9-2.6 kD. Other ranges are 1-2.7 kD, 1.2-2.5 kD.

[0154] In one embodiment of the composition, glucan molecules of DP>111 are present in an amount of less than 1.5 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d).

[0155] In one embodiment of the composition, glucan molecules of DP>246 are present in an amount of less than 0.6 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d).

[0156] In one embodiment, the composition comprises the glucose in a content of less than the content of ingredient a) of the composition (a compound that is selected from the group consisting of maltose, glycerol, an amino acid, an oligopeptide, or a mixture of one or more thereof), specifically less than the content of maltose, if maltose is used as ingredient a).

[0157] In one embodiment, the composition comprises the glucan molecules of DP 3 and DP 4, taken together, in a content of less than of the content of ingredient a) of the composition (a compound that is selected from the group consisting of maltose, glycerol, an amino acid, an oligopeptide, or a mixture of one or more thereof), specifically less than the content of maltose, if maltose is used as ingredient a).

[0158] In one embodiment, the composition comprises ingredient a) of the composition (a compound that is selected from the group consisting of maltose, glycerol, an amino acid, an oligopeptide, or a mixture of one or more thereof), particularly maltose, in a content of 8 to 65 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d).

[0159] In one embodiment, the composition comprises the glucan molecules of DP>4 in a content of more than 16 wt-%, preferably more than 21 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d).

[0160] In one embodiment, the content of glucan molecules of DP 3 and DP 4, taken together, is less than 15 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), more preferably less than 10 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), even more preferably less than 5 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d).

[0161] In one embodiment, the content of glucan molecules of molecular weight of 0.8 to 1.5 kD, or DP5-DP9, is 4-39 wt-%, preferably 6-23 wt-%, of total CHO.

[0162] In one embodiment, the content of glucan molecules of molecular weight of 1.5 to 4.5 kD, or DP10-DP27, is 16-60 wt-%, preferably 20-60 wt-%, of total CHO.

[0163] In one embodiment, the content of glucan molecules of molecular weight of 4.5 to 9 kD, or DP28-DP55 is less than 48 wt-%, preferably less than 45 wt-%, of total CHO.

[0164] In one embodiment, the content of glucan molecules of molecular weight smaller than 9 kD, or DP<55, is more than 85 wt-% of total CHO, more preferably more than 90 wt-% of total CHO.

[0165] In one embodiment, the content of glucan molecules of molecular weight of 0.8-4.5 kD, or DP5-DP27, is more than 18 wt-%, preferably more than 25 wt-%, even more preferably more than 30 wt-%, of total CHO.

[0166] In one embodiment, the content of glucan molecules of DP 3 and 4 is less than 30 wt-%, preferably 2 to 26 wt-%, more preferably 2 to 15 wt-%, even more preferably 2 to 10 wt-%, of total CHO.

[0167] In one embodiment, the content of glucan molecules of DP 5 and 6 is less than 35 wt-%, preferably 1 to 15 wt-%, of total CHO.

[0168] In one embodiment, the content of glucan molecules of DP 7 to 10 is less than 35 wt-%, pref 1 to 18 wt-%, of total CHO.

[0169] In one embodiment, the content of glucan molecules of DP<10 is 15-85 wt-%, preferably 20-80 wt-%, of total CHO.

[0170] In one embodiment, the content of glucan molecules of DP>25 is 1.9-59.5 wt-%, preferably 3.9-57.5 wt.-%, preferably 4.9-55.8 wt-% of total CHO.

[0171] In one embodiment, the content of glucan molecules of DP>30 is less than 59 wt-%, preferably less than 55 wt-%, more preferably less than 50 wt-% of total CHO.

[0172] In one embodiment, the content of glucan molecules of DP>111 is less than 1.5 wt-% of total CHO.

[0173] In one embodiment, the content of glucan molecules of DP>246 is less than 0.6 wt-% of total CHO.

[0174] As mentioned before, features of this specification can be combined in any manner and any number. In a very specific embodiment, which reflects only one possible combination, the present invention provides with a composition, comprising: [0175] a) a compound that is selected from the group consisting of maltose, glycerol, an amino acid, an oligopeptide, or a mixture of one or more thereof, preferably maltose, in a content of 5 to 75 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), preferably 8-65 wt-%, even more preferably 10-55 wt-%, [0176] b) glucose in a content of less than , pref less than , of the content of a), and in a total content of less than 5 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), [0177] c) glucan molecules of DP 3 and DP 4, taken together, in a content of less than , preferably of less than , of the content of a), [0178] d) glucan molecules of DP>4 in a content to give 100 wt-% together with a), b) and c), wherein [0179] glucan molecules of DP 3 and 4 are present in an amount of less than 30 wt-%, preferably 2 to 26% wt-%, of the total weight of a)-d), [0180] glucan molecules of DP 5 and 6 are present in an amount of less than 35 wt-%, preferably 1 to 15 wt-%, of the total weight of a)-d), [0181] glucan molecules of DP 7 to 10 are present in an amount of less than 35 wt-%, preferably 1 to 18 wt-%, of the total weight of a)-d), [0182] glucan molecule of DP<10 are present in an amount of 15-85 wt-%, preferably 20-80 wt-%, of the total weight of a)-d), [0183] glucan molecules of DP>10 are present in an amount of 15-85 wt-%, preferably 20-80 wt-%, further preferably 35-80 wt-%, of the total weight of a)-d), [0184] glucan molecules of DP>24 are present in an amount of 2-60 wt-%, preferably 4-58 wt-%, preferably 5-56 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), [0185] glucan molecules of DP>25 are present in an amount of 1.9-59.5 wt-%, preferably 3.9-57.5 wt.-%, preferably 4.9-55.8 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), [0186] glucan molecules of DP>30 are present in an amount of less than 59 wt-%, preferably less than 55 wt-%, more preferably less than 50 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), [0187] glucan molecules of DP>55 are present in an amount of less than 15 wt-%, preferably less than 12 wt-%, more preferably less than 10 wt-%, still more preferably less than 8 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), [0188] glucan molecules of DP>111 are present in an amount of less than 1.5 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d), [0189] glucan molecules of DP>246 are present in an amount of less than 0.6 wt-% of the total weight of a)-d),

[0190] The weight average molecular weight of a)-d), taken together, may be Mw 0.8-15 kD, preferably Mw 1.0-10 kD, more preferably Mw 1.2-6.2 kD or 1.0-6.2 kD, more preferably 1.4-6 kD, more preferably 1.6 to 5.8 kD,

[0191] The number average molecular weight of a)-d), taken together, may be Mn 0.2-3 kD, preferably Mn 0.3-3 kD, more preferably Mn 0.5-3 kD or 0.7-3 kD, more preferably 0.8-2.7 kD, even more preferably 0.9-2.6 kD. Ranges of Mw and Mn can be combined in any manner.

[0192] Hereinafter, embodiments concerning branching are described.

[0193] When %-values of branching are indicated, these values mean mol-%. The degree of branching is defined herein as the percentage number of glucose monomers comprising a branch (i.e. incorporated by three bonds within a glucan molecule) based on the total number of all glucose monomers measured in a sample of the glucan of the invention with randomly distributed molecular weights.

[0194] The degree of branching is measured by the method of standard methylation analysis or alternatively by the method of reductive degradation after methylation. These methods may be performed as described described in patent application WO 2007128559 A2, but in the present invention with glucans instead of fructans which were measured in WO 2007128559 A2.

[0195] In one embodiment of this invention branching of the glucan starting material or final preparation may be altered by parameters including the choice of the starting material, by use of branching enzymes, and/or by incubation at chosen physico-chemical conditions during, favoring aimed branching of the end-product.

[0196] Preferable physicochemical conditions include incubation at acidic or basic pH, a temperature between 20 to 150 C., at pressures up to 10 bars, for variable times (between 1 minute and 100 hours, before, during, or after enzymatic treatment.

[0197] Branching enzyme include for example amylases, amyloguosidases, and transglucosidases.

[0198] Polyglucose chains in starch or dextrins are majorly formed by alpha 1,4 bounds. Branching of starch or branching of of dextrins is defined of the percentage of alpha 1,6 bounds.

[0199] Dextran contains polyglucose chains majorly formed by alpha 1,6 bounds. Branching of dextran is defined as the percentage of alpha 1,3 bonds.

[0200] In the frame of this invention, the term of branching shall be enlarged to any multiple nature of bonds within a glucan preparation.

[0201] The invention in particular relates to above preparations of soluble saccharide polymers, which can be part of the composition of the invention, where saccharide polymers are dextrins or dextrin derivatives, and preferably where dextrin branching by 1,6 glycosidic bonds is higher than 11%, preferably higher than 12%, even more preferably higher than 13%, still more preferably higher than 15%, or higher than 17.5% or higher than 20%

[0202] The invention in particular relates to above preparations of soluble saccharide polymers, which can be part of the composition of the invention, where saccharide polymers are dextrins, where branching by 1,6 glycosidic bonds is lower than 7%, preferably lower than 6%, even more preferably lower than 5%, still more preferably lower than 4%, or lower than 3%, or lower than 2%, or lower than 1%, or lower than 0.1%.

[0203] The option of low or high branching to saccharide polymer compositions may be intended for the following aim: Highly branched glucans degrade more slowly under the activity of amylases, and therefore will degrade more slowly during peritoneal dialysis. Depending on residual renal function of patients, one could adapt the polymer stability.

[0204] Less branched or unbranched unbranched saccharide polymers, for example in concentrated (e.g. 3 to 6%) solutions, could be applied to patients with high residual renal function. Increased degradation by degrading enzymes would increase possible uptake of small molecular weight degradation products, keep ultrafiltration low and even allow some back diffusion of liquid from the dialysate into the patients system. Small molecular weight compounds such as maltose, iso-maltose, or the like would be excreted by the kidneys before being transformed to glucose by intra-cellular maltases. As a result, sufficient ultra-filtration would occur to guaranty low molecular weight products to enter the dialysate, but an overall low ultra-filtration would sustain remaining residual renal function.

[0205] Low alpha 1-6 branching would further be advantageous for patients suspected for wheat allergies.

[0206] Higher concentrated solutions (e.g. 5 to 7.5%), for example with highly branched maltodextrins, could be applied to patients with low or no further residual renal function, to increase UF rate and NUF, and to reduce enzymatic degradation, maintaining hyper-osmolality for a longer time and reducing CHO uptake by the patient during the dialysis dwell.

[0207] In one embodiment of the composition the glucan or glucan molecules are derivatized. A definition of derivatized was given earlier.

[0208] Derivatization may be done by enzymatic, chemical and/or physical modification.

[0209] Glucan may be modified by etherification, esterification, alkylation, crosslinking, oxidation, reduction, treatment with alkali and/or hydrolysis, particularly acidic or enzymatic hydrolysis.

[0210] Particularly one or more OH groups in the glucan may be modified in this way.

[0211] In a specific embodiment derivatized means that one or several OH groups in the glucan are modified. The modification is particularly a substitution or functionalization of one or several OH groups of the glucan. The modification may be a modification at one or more terminal OH groups, OH groups at reducing ends and/or other OH groups.

[0212] The derivative may be a sugar-alcohol, particularly glucitol, a sugar-acid, particularly gluconic acid, or an alkylglycoside.

[0213] In a specific embodiment, one or more OH groups may be modified to a group OR, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of [0214] i) a substituted or unsubstituted, branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group, particularly alkyl or hydroxyl alkyl, particularly selected from methyl ethyl, propyl (n- or iso), butyl (n, iso or tert), hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl (n- or iso), hydroxybutyl (n, iso or tert), CH(CH.sub.2OH).sub.2, CH(CH.sub.2(OH)).sub.2, CH(CH.sub.2OH)(CHOHCH.sub.2OH). This modification is particularly applicable to a terminal or a reducing OH group, optionally also to other OH groups, [0215] ii) OH, O-saccharide, -hydrocarbyloxy, substituted -hydrocarbyloxy, and -sulfoxy, CONH(CH2)n-COOH, CONH(CH2)n COO, CN, Cl, Br, I, NO.sub.2, (CH2)CN, (CH2)n-Cl, (CH2)n-Br, (CH2)n-I, (CH2)n-NO2, OPO.sub.3.sup.2, OPO.sub.3H, OPO.sub.3H.sub.2, NH.sub.2, NH-alkyl, N(-alkyl1,-alkyl2), N.sup.+H.sub.3, N.sup.+H.sub.2-alkyl, N.sup.+H(-alkyl1,-alkyl2), N.sup.+(-alkyl1,-alkyl2,-alkyl3), B(OH).sub.2, CHO, CO-alkyl), CF.sub.3, CN, CH2CN, wherein alkyl may be a linear or branched (C1-C5) alkyl, a partially unsaturated alkyl.

[0216] In another embodiment the present invention provides a solution of glucan starting material or intermediate or final preparation in water, providing a solution of NaOCl, and adding the NaOCl solution to the starch solution to oxidate the starch. Such oxidation may be leading to transformation of the glucane to a gluconic acid.

[0217] Another embodiment the invention provides dissolving of glucan starting material or intermediate or final preparation in an acid and an alcohol. Such dissolution may occur for 1 to 40 hours. Such dissolution may be heated up to 100, eventually up to higher temperature up to 150 C. under pressure. Such mixture under such conditions, may hydrolyze the starch and alkylate it.

[0218] In another embodiment glucan starting material or intermediate or final preparation may be submitted to ether synthesis, using alkylene-oxides such as methylene-, ethylene-, propylene-, butylenes_oxide.

[0219] Intermediate preparation is particularly intended to mean a preparation of components b)-d) of the composition, before a) is added, particularly when a) is not maltose.

[0220] The glucan in the invention may be free or substantially free of terminal formaldehyde, aldonic acids, and/or furfurals.

[0221] In a further aspect, the present invention provides with a liquid aqueous composition, comprising the composition of the invention and water. This liquid composition may be a solution, a dispersion, an emulsion or a mixture of a solution, dispersion and/or or emulsion, or a mixture of solution and dispersion, preferably a solution which means that the composition, and other constituents, if present, is/are dissolved in the liquid phase. The liquid phase and liquid composition may be predominantly (more than 90 vol-%, preferably more than 95 vol-% of the liquid phase), or solely, water.

[0222] The liquid aqueous composition may be a dialysis fluid or used as a dialysis fluid, particularly for peritoneal dialysis.

[0223] The liquid aqueous composition may have a ph of 6.8 to 7.7.

[0224] The liquid aqueous composition, particularly if it is a solution for dialysis, may also comprise buffering agents (lactate, acetate, gluconate in particular) and other additives such as aminoacids, insulin, polyols such as, for example, sorbitol, erythritol, mannitol, maltitol or xylitol, or hydrogenated starch hydrolysates.

[0225] In one embodiment, the liquid aqueous composition has an osmolality of 280 to 450 mosm/kg, preferred 290 to 420 mosm/kg.

[0226] In a further aspect of the invention, the composition as described above, or the liquid aqueous composition as described above is intended for use as a medicament or medication or for use in therapy.

[0227] More specifically, the composition as described above, or the composition as described above, or the liquid aqueous composition as described above is intended for use as [0228] peritoneal therapeutic fluid or solution, particularly with reduced cytotoxicity [0229] dialysis fluid or solution, particularly peritoneal dialysis fluid or solution, particularly with reduced cytotoxicity [0230] gastroenterological solution, such as digestive tract cleaning solutions, [0231] nutritional solution [0232] nutritional infusion, [0233] drug administration solution [0234] detoxifying solution [0235] physiological substitute or additive preparation, particularly for physiological body fluids, more particularly as substitute or addition for blood, plasma, serum, or interstitial body fluids [0236] adhesion reducing solution after surgery, [0237] solution for clyster, [0238] laxative, [0239] osmotic agent, particularly osmotic driver [0240] infant dietetic [0241] pharmaceutical agent with reduced cytotoxicity, or in treatment of renal diseases.

[0242] The composition as described above, or the liquid aqueous composition as described above may have a reduced cytotoxicity in comparison with products known so far. So, it may be used for its own, or in one or more of mentioned applications, as agent with reduced cytotoxicity.

[0243] Preferred medical solutions are solutions to replace or add to physiological body fluids, such as blood, serum, and interstitial body fluids or solutions for gastroenterological application, such as digestive tract cleaning solutions, clistiers, and nutritional solution. Solutions for intravenous, intraperitoneal, or other subcutaneous applications are also included. Preferred medical solutions are peritoneal therapeutical solutions. Preferred peritoneal therapeutical solutions are peritoneal dialysis solutions.

[0244] In the context of a medical application the solution may be applied to the human body, where control of osmolality plays a role, either because physiological osmolality is intended or because hypo- or hyper-osmolality is the aim.

[0245] A preferred medical application is the use of a composition of the invention, particularly a bimodal composition, as an osmotic agent to adapt the medical solution to its specific aim. Different medical solutions may have different osmotic pressures, for example for blood substitutions the osmotic pressure of the medical solution may be near to physiological concentration, whereas hyper-osmotic pressure may be applied for intestinal or peritoneal applications.

[0246] In a further aspect, the composition of the invention is applied as osmotic agent to PTFs or PDFs. In a further related aspect, a PTF, containing a claimed composition as osmotic agent, is characterized by the application of a combination of two or more different of compositions of the invention.

[0247] As to the use as osmotic driver, particularly in a PDF, mentioned compositions can be used to generate a significantly higher NUF fluid volume than Icodextrin 7.5%, with a comparable or higher Rate of NUF per CHO absorption, when applied as sole osmotic agent, at concentrations less than 7.5%, preferably less than 7.2%, within a buffered solution of physiological salt concentrations, for example in dwells of 2, 4 or 6 hours in peritoneal dialysis.

[0248] As stated above, compositions of the invention find use in different fields, including the following: [0249] in infant dietetics, and feeding of medical patients; [0250] in the make-up of blood plasma substitutes; [0251] in the preparation of enteral and parenteral treatments; [0252] in the manufacturing of PTFs; [0253] and in the manufacture of dialysis solutions for the treatment of renal diseases.

[0254] The term composition for medical application, comprises any kind of physiologically applicable solutions, such as gastroenterological solution, which may be drinkable, nutrient infusions and other drinkable applications, drug administration and detoxifying solutions, physiological substitute preparations, or adhesion reducing solutions after surgery. A preferred application of compositions for medical application in this invention are peritoneal therapeutic fluids (PDF) or peritoneal dialysis fluids (PTF).

[0255] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a composition described hereinabove, applied to the manufacturing of dialysis solutions.

[0256] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a peritoneal dialysis fluid comprising a composition according to the invention.

[0257] In a further aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition including a PTF as defined above.

[0258] In a further aspect, the present invention provides the use of described compositions to generate a higher UF or NUF fluid volume than Extraneal (icodextrin 7.5%), with a comparable or higher rate of NUF (Volume) per CHO (weight) absorption, when applied as sole osmolar agent at concentrations of less than 7.5%, within a buffered solution of physiological salt concentrations, in peritoneal dialysis dwells of 6 hours or less.

[0259] Hereinafter, methods for obtaining products of the invention are described.

[0260] The glucan polymers in a composition of the present invention, particularly components b)-d) (preferably in combination), or the composition if component a) is maltose, may be prepared by acid and/or enzymatic hydrolysis of industrial saccharide solutions; enzymatic repolymerisation and branching; followed by fractionation. Or they may be prepared by ongoing fractionation, during such reactions, continuously separating reaction products out of the mixture. Different intermediate preparations may be carded out separately and mixed together later. Other low molecular weight molecules, such as a compound that is selected from the group consisting of maltose, glycerol, an amino acid, an oligopeptide, or a mixture of one or more thereof, may be added later, to obtain the aimed final composition. Industrial saccharide solutions include starch syrups and maltose syrups. Industrial saccharides may be pretreated for substitutions, partial substitutions or branching of their saccharide content, or intermediate polysaccharide preparations may be treated to this aim.

[0261] In still a further aspect, the invention is directed to a method for producing a liquid aqueous composition as described above, comprising [0262] preparing an aqueous solution of starch, having a solids content of from 10 wt-% to 80 wt-%; [0263] gelatinization, by treating said solution successively with a specific combination of enzymes chosen from amyloglucosidase and/or amylase, [0264] purifying the solution, [0265] fractionating the solution in such a way as to eliminate or decrease molecular-weight saccharide fractions having a molecular weight higher than 40000 D, and to recovering the other fractions, [0266] adding a compound that is selected from the group consisting of maltose, glycerol, an amino acid, an oligopeptide, or a mixture of one or more thereof, preferably maltose.

[0267] By fractionation and addition of a compound that is selected from the group consisting of maltose, glycerol, an amino acid, an oligopeptide, or a mixture of one or more thereof, maltose and/or glucose, a composition as defined above is obtained in the solution.

[0268] In a further step, glucose may be added. Glucose may be added separately or together with a compound that is selected from the group consisting of maltose, glycerol, an amino acid, an oligopeptide, or a mixture of one or more thereof. For example, when adding maltose, a maltose product a can be added that comprises glucose. Maltose often comprises quantities of glucose, for example when maltose syrup is added.

[0269] A dry composition of the invention can be obtained by drying the product of the aforementioned process.

[0270] The initial ratio of amylase/amylopectin of specific starches maybe exploited to simplify generation of high or low branched maltodextrins, as required for specific applications.

[0271] Preferred soluble glucose polymers in the present invention are dextrins produced by enzymatic treatment of starch.

[0272] Such soluble glucose polymers of the present invention are particularly prepared according to a process comprising the combination of several or all of the following steps:

[0273] 1) choosing a starch of a defined amyopectin content, depending on the degree of branching aimed for the maltodextrin or saccharide polymer preparation;

[0274] 2) choosing or preparing an aqueous solution of starch, having a solids content of from 10% to 80% by weight;

[0275] 3) optionally treating said solutions with a branching enzyme, if a defined branching is aimed

[0276] 4) optionally derivatizing,

[0277] 5) gelatinization, by treating said solution successively with a combination of enzymes chosen from amyloglucosidase or amylase (e.g. 0.1% thermophilic amylase at pH 6 at 80 to 98 C.), preferably for between 5 and 10 minutes;

[0278] 6) optionally fractionating several solutions (e.g. one for high molecular weight of 4500 to 9000 D, one of molecular weight of 1500 to 18000 D and one for low molecular weight of 200 to 1500 D), to be further mixed, such a step allowing high flexibility, a large spectrum of molecular weights of polymers in the final preparation, and at the same time, highest stringency of selected polymers in the final medical application.

[0279] 7) purifying the solution, for example by treatment on activated carbon, or by filtration (e.g. glass pore filter, ceramic filters, or filter membranes), or by affinity procedures;

[0280] 8) fractionating the solution in such a way as to eliminate or highly decrease high-molecular-weight saccharide fractions, preferably those having a molecular weight higher than 40000 daltons, further preferably higher than 18 kD and to recover the other fractions;

[0281] 9) choosing or preparing a maltose enriched powder or solution;

[0282] 10) optionally adapting low-molecular-weight fractions, preferably of 200 to 1500 D, to NUF needs of the solution by addition of maltose, and optionally adding glucose, for example up to 0.2% w/v/glucose total concentration of the final solution.

[0283] Above mentioned steps can also be used to further define steps that were mentioned previously in a more general method.

[0284] When the solution is obtained by dissolving the polymers according to the invention in water, it should be clear and colorless. It is preferably free of endotoxins, of peptidoglycans and of beta-glucans, and also of contaminants originating from the starting material or from the enzymatic preparations used to produce it.

[0285] To this effect, any highly branched polymers used in said solution will preferably have undergone purification so as to remove any coloration or any unwanted contaminant such as proteins, bacteria, bacterial toxins, viruses, fibers, traces of metals, etc. This purification step can be carried out according to the techniques known to those skilled in the art.

[0286] One step of the process in accordance with the invention may consist in collecting the fractions of suitable molecular weight to generate sought glucose polymer preparation. These fractions can be combined as they are, the polymers can be precipitated by adding ethanol, purified and dried under vacuum or else by spray drying, or any technique known to those skilled in the art.

[0287] In a further aspect the invention is directed to a container, for example PDF container, or kit comprising at least one compartment, containing a liquid aqueous composition as described above, for example as an osmotic agent, or a dry composition as described above. A container or kit according to the invention may have a second compartment containing a further part of the dialysis fluid, which, upon mixture with the acidic fluid from the first compartment, reconstitutes a dialysis fluid with a pH between 7.0 and 7.5. Another compartment of the container may comprise a buffer solution. The liquid aqueous composition in the first compartment may have acidic pH, like to 1-6 or 2-4. The buffer solution may have a pH suitable to produce the resulting pH the range of pH 6.5 to 8, preferably of 6.8 to 7.7, more preferably of 7 to 7.5.

EXAMPLES

[0288] In these Examples, the term Extraneal means a registered trade mark.

Example 1: Industrial Saccharide Polymer Preparation

[0289] A starch milk is prepared from an acid-fluidified, commercially available corn starch. A suspension of starch containing 20 to 50% solids is prepared by stirring, until complete solubilization at 90 C. The solution is then cooled to 60 C. and adjusted to pH between 6 and 6.5, by citric acid.

[0290] For gelatinization, a treatment with 0.1% heat-stable alpha-amylase of the starch is carried out in the reaction medium, and the reaction is stopped by heating between 88 to 92 C. for 5 to 10 minutes.

[0291] For dextrinization the pH is adjusted to 4 to 5, the concentration of amylase is increased to 0.3% and the reaction is carried out for several further hours. Dextrinisation may happen The final solution is fractionated in several steps on, including 30,000 10,000 5,000 dalton fractionation devices such as membrane or ceramic filters.

[0292] Table I shows two target glucan intermediate preparations or compositions of the physicochemical characteristics of two PDF solutions in presence of physiological salt conditions and pH 6.8 to 7.5, in accordance with the invention thus obtained.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE I Intermediate scale PDF fluid production PDF Sol. 1 Sol. 2 [CHO] (w/v) 5.0% 6.8% total weight (g) in 2 L 100 136 Osmolality (mOsm/kg) 290 to 350 320 to 340 Number average Mn (kD) 1.1 to 1.5 1.4 to 2.0 Weight average Mw (kD) 2.1 to 3.5 3.5 to 6.0 Poly-D 1.5 to 2.0 2.2 to 2.8 Osmolality (mOsm/kg) 300 to 320 320 to 340

Example 2: Experimental Preparation

[0293] In this example we generated polysaccharide preparations and final osmotically active compositions of Mw between 3.4 and 6.1 kD and Mn between 2 and 3.7 kD.

[0294] In all cases such polymer fractions contained less than 1.5 wt-% of polymers with a higher molecular weight than 18 kD, and even less than 0.6 wt-% of polymers with a molecular weight higher than 40 kD.

[0295] Starting material was Icodexrin from commercially available Extraneal. Batches of 80 Liters were submitted to 0.5 m.sup.2 pelicon 2 Ultracel membranes as recommended by the supplier, at 3 to 4 L/m2 at entrance pressure of less than 2.5 Bar. Consecutive steps over membrane cutoffs of 100 kD, 30 kD, 10 kD, and 5 kD were tested in different set-ups. Generally, every filter step resulted in generation of about 5 to 10% of retentate, depending on the composition concentration of the filtered solutions. Three intermediate saccharide polymer preparations were generated this way, in the following called solutions 1, 2 and 3. All filtration steps were carried out in the original Buffer of extraneal, and buffer composition as well as pH was controlled throughout the workflow.

[0296] Solution 1 was generated from 80 Liters of Extraneal going through Pelicon Ultracel 100 kD, 30 kD, 10 kD, 10 kD and was finally concentrated on a 5 kD Filter.

[0297] Solution 2 was generated running the same filter combination than for Solution 1, but in series, so filtration on a following filter started, before the previous filtration cycle was finalized. This save time but also reduced filtration efficacy.

[0298] Solution 3 was generated as solution 2, but this time the kD membrane was applied twice as a supplemental filter, before it was again applied to concentrate the intermediate saccharide polymer preparation.

[0299] The results show that comparative results can be obtained by very different methods.

[0300] All solutions were analyzed on their carbohydrate composition by gel permeation chromatography on a microsphere 60 SEC 5 m column of the dimensions of 300*4.6 mm, at 1.2 ml/min at pressure between 5 and 200 bars. Chromatography was run with purified water. Icodextrin, 70 kD, 10 kD and kD Dextran molecular weight markers were run in parallel to identify the composition of the intermediate preparations. Carbohydrate concentration was measured by RI Detection. In summary, total Carbohydrate concentration corresponded to the area under the curve after background subtraction, following calibration established on Icodextrin, maltose and glucose standard solutions. Quantification of molecular weight size fractions was assessed using dextran molecular weight standards and Icodextrin as a comparative standard.

[0301] Results of the molecular weight composition of the fractions are given in tables 2 to 5. MW in the tables means molecular weight. Mw means weight average molecular weight.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Composition of Extraneal applied to experimental preparation of intermediate saccharide polymer preparations: found Mw = 14.1 kD, Mn = 5.8 kD. MW fractions Icodextrin wt Sum mol (KD) Refr. Index % % number 90 509 0.10 8.20 0.00 60 11967 2.42 0.04 43 28061 5.67 0.13 30 51254 10.37 10.37 0.35 18 63270 12.80 32.23 0.71 12.5 54053 10.93 0.87 10.5 42056 8.50 0.81 8.8 32712 6.62 28.35 0.75 7.5 26317 5.32 0.71 6.6 22325 4.51 0.68 5.8 20131 4.07 0.70 5 19242 3.89 0.78 4.3 19485 3.94 0.92 3.9 22090 4.47 15.26 1.15 3.1 22263 4.50 1.45 2.6 15558 3.15 1.21 2.2 15558 3.15 1.43 1.8 8578 1.73 4.01 0.96 1.5 6453 1.30 0.87 1.2 4809 0.97 0.81 0.987 3618 0.73 1.58 0.74 0.827 2716 0.55 0.66 0.667 1098 0.22 0.33 0.5 366 0.07 0.15

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3 Composition of Solution 1 (Mw = 3.7 kD, Mn = 2.2 kD) MW fraction Sol. 1 wt Sum mol (KD) Refr. Index % % number 90 71 0.07 0.46 0.00 60 171 0.16 0.00 43 258 0.24 0.01 30 434 0.40 0.40 0.01 18 787 0.73 3.30 0.04 12.5 1176 1.09 0.09 10.5 1595 1.48 0.14 8.8 2066 1.92 21.99 0.22 7.5 2616 2.43 0.32 6.6 3260 3.03 0.46 5.8 4080 3.79 0.65 5 5139 4.77 0.95 4.3 6525 6.06 1.41 3.9 8686 8.06 45.99 2.07 3.1 12950 12.02 3.88 2.6 13952 12.95 4.98 2.2 13952 12.95 5.89 1.8 6944 6.45 16.38 3.58 1.5 5705 5.30 3.53 1.2 4995 4.64 3.86 0.987 4686 4.35 11.47 4.41 0.827 4421 4.10 4.96 0.667 2386 2.22 3.32 0.5 858 0.80 1.59

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 4 Composition of solution 2: Mw = 6 kD, Mn = 3.7 kD MW fraction Sol. 2 wt Sum mol (KD) Refr. Index % % number 90 428 0.05 0.44 0.00 60 1116 0.12 0.00 43 2492 0.27 0.01 30 6595 0.72 0.72 0.02 18 18651 2.04 11.73 0.11 12.5 35458 3.88 0.31 10.5 53111 5.81 0.55 8.8 67722 7.41 51.68 0.84 7.5 77730 8.51 1.13 6.6 83814 9.17 1.39 5.8 88351 9.67 1.67 5 81734 8.94 1.79 4.3 72866 7.97 1.85 3.9 65137 7.13 24.20 1.83 3.1 57391 6.28 2.03 2.6 49303 5.40 2.08 2.2 49303 5.40 2.45 1.8 32714 3.58 8.22 1.99 1.5 24700 2.70 1.80 1.2 17689 1.94 1.61 0.987 12407 1.36 3.00 1.38 0.827 8942 0.98 1.18 0.667 4600 0.50 0.75 0.5 1498 0.16 0.33

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 5 Composition of solution 3: Mw 3.5 kD, Mn = 2.1 kD MW fraction Sol. 3 wt Sum mol (KD) Refr. Index % % number 90 225 0.12 0.53 0.00 60 347 0.19 0.00 43 402 0.22 0.01 30 505 0.28 0.28 0.01 18 709 0.39 1.79 0.02 12.5 1031 0.56 0.04 10.5 1540 0.84 0.08 8.8 2316 1.26 22.34 0.14 7.5 3474 1.89 0.25 6.6 5119 2.79 0.42 5.8 7281 3.97 0.68 5 9923 5.41 1.08 4.3 12862 7.01 1.63 3.9 15763 8.60 39.92 2.20 3.1 18171 9.91 3.20 2.6 19631 10.71 4.12 2.2 19631 10.71 4.87 1.8 17506 9.55 24.10 5.30 1.5 14674 8.00 5.33 1.2 12016 6.55 5.46 0.987 10043 5.48 11.04 5.55 0.827 7375 4.02 4.86 0.667 2320 1.27 1.90 0.5 513 0.28 0.56

Example 3: Examples for Calculation of Mw and Mn for Different Osmotically Active Compositions

[0302]

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 6 Calculation of Mw and Mn of solution 3 (on the example of 5.75% concentration of saccharide polymer: M(ni) MW(Mi)(kD) g/L(ni*Mi) g/L*MW(ni*Mi.sup.2) 0.001 90 0.07 6.3 0.002 60 0.11 6.5 0.003 43 0.13 5.4 0.005 30 0.16 4.7 0.012 18 0.22 4.0 0.026 12.5 0.32 4.0 0.046 10.5 0.48 5.1 0.083 8.8 0.73 6.4 0.145 7.5 1.09 8.2 0.243 6.6 1.61 10.6 0.394 5.8 2.28 13.2 0.622 5 3.11 15.6 0.938 4.3 4.03 17.3 1.267 3.9 4.94 19.3 1.838 3.1 5.70 17.7 2.368 2.6 6.16 16.0 2.798 2.2 6.16 13.5 3.050 1.8 5.49 9.9 3.067 1.5 4.60 6.9 3.140 1.2 3.77 4.5 3.191 0.987 3.15 3.1 2.796 0.827 2.31 1.9 1.091 0.667 0.73 0.5 0.322 0.5 0.16 0.1 Sums 27.447 57.50 200.8

[0303] For each fraction i, the concentration in Mol is taken as value for compound molecule number (ni) of such a fraction, and the mean molecular weight of the fraction is accounted for as the molecular weight Mi of all molecules of that fraction. Then we can establish the sums

[0304] (ni)=27.5, (ni*Mi)=57.5, and (ni*Mi.sup.2)=200.8, and calculate

[0305] Mw=(ni*Mi.sup.2)/(ni*Mi)=3.49 kD, as well as

[0306] Mn=(ni*Mi)/(ni)=2.09 kD.

[0307] Calculate Mw and Mn of glycerol (1% solution):

TABLE-US-00008 MW(Mi) M(ni) (kDalton) g/L(ni*Mi) g/L*MW(ni*Mi.sup.2) 29 0.342 10 3.42

[0308] A fraction of 1% maltose corresponds to a single fraction of a concentration of 29M (ni), of a molecular weight of 0.342 kD, resulting in (ni)=ni=29, (ni*Mi)=niMi=10, and (ni*Mi.sup.2)=niMi.sup.2=3.42.

[0309] Calculate Mw and Mn of a composition of 5.75% saccharide polymers of sol 3 and 1% maltose

[0310] Mw

[00002]$\begin{array}{cc}\mathrm{Mw}.Math.=& .Math.\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.{\mathrm{Mi}}^2\right).Math.\text{/}.Math.\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.\mathrm{Mi}\right)\\ =& .Math.[.Math..Math.\mathrm{Sol}.Math..Math.3.Math.\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.{\mathrm{Mi}}^2\right)+\left[.Math..Math.\mathrm{mal}\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.{\mathrm{Mi}}^2\right)\right].Math.\text{/}\\ & .Math.{[}^2).Math.\text{/}.Math..Math..Math.\mathrm{Sol}.Math..Math.3.Math..Math.\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.\mathrm{Mi}\right)+.Math..Math.\mathrm{mal}.Math..Math.\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.\mathrm{Mi}\right)]\\ =& .Math.\left(200.8+3.42\right).Math.\text{/}.Math.\left(57.5+10\right)\\ =& .Math.3.03\end{array}$$\begin{array}{cc}\mathrm{Mn}.Math.=& .Math.\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.\mathrm{Mi}\right).Math.\text{/}.Math..Math..Math.\left(\mathrm{ni}\right)\\ =& .Math.[.Math..Math.\mathrm{Sol}.Math..Math.3.Math.\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.\mathrm{Mi}\right)+\left[.Math..Math.\mathrm{mal}\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.\mathrm{Mi}\right)\right].Math.\text{/}\\ & .Math.\left[.Math..Math.\mathrm{Sol}.Math..Math.3.Math.\left(\mathrm{ni}\right)+.Math..Math.\mathrm{mal}\left(\mathrm{ni}\right)\right]\\ =& .Math.\left(57.5+10\right).Math.\text{/}.Math.\left(27.4+29\right)\\ =& .Math.1.19\end{array}$

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 7 Calculate Mw and Mn of a 1% amino acid mix component M(ni) MW(Mi)(kDalton) g/L(ni*Mi) g/L*MW(ni*Mi.sup.2) Adenine 0.77719 0.135 0.105 0.0142 L-Alanine 4.85591 0.089 0.432 0.0385 L-Arginine HCl 2.45793 0.174 0.428 0.0744 L-Asparagine 3.23999 0.132 0.428 0.0565 L-Aspartic Acid 3.21563 0.133 0.428 0.0569 L-Cysteine HCl 3.53454 0.121 0.428 0.0517 Glutamine 2.92931 0.146 0.428 0.0624 L-Glutamic Acid 2.90938 0.147 0.428 0.0629 Glycine 5.70239 0.075 0.428 0.0321 L-Histidine HCl 2.75922 0.155 0.428 0.0663 Myo-Inositol 2.37600 0.18 0.428 0.0770 L-Isoleucine 3.26473 0.131 0.428 0.0560 L-Leucine 6.61336 0.131 0.866 0.1135 L-Lysine HCl 2.92931 0.146 0.428 0.0624 L-Methionine 2.87033 0.149 0.428 0.0637 Para-Amino- 0.31363 0.137 0.043 0.0059 benzoic Acid L-Phenylalanine 2.59200 0.165 0.428 0.0706 L-Proline 3.71895 0.115 0.428 0.0492 L-Serine 4.07314 0.105 0.428 0.0449 L-Threonine 3.59394 0.119 0.428 0.0509 L-Tryptophan 2.09647 0.204 0.428 0.0872 L-Tyrosine 2.36287 0.181 0.428 0.0774 L-Valine 3.65538 0.117 0.428 0.0500 Uracil 3.81856 0.112 0.428 0.0479 Sum 76.66016 10.000 1.3725

[0311] For each fraction i, the concentration in Mol is taken as value for compound molecule number (ni) of such a fraction, and the molecular weight of the corresponding amino acid is accounted for as Mi. Then we can establish the sums

[0312] (ni)=76.7, (ni*Mi)=10, and (ni*Mi.sup.2)=1.37, and calculate

[0313] Mw=(ni*Mi.sup.2)/(ni*Mi)=0.137 kD, as well as

[0314] Mn=(ni*Mi)/(ni)=0.130 kD.

[0315] Calculate Mw and Mn of a composition of 5.75% saccharide polymers of sol 3 and 1% amino acid mix

[00003]$\mathrm{Mw}=.Math.\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.{\mathrm{Mi}}^2\right)/.Math.\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.\mathrm{Mi}\right)=[.Math.\mathrm{Sol}.Math..Math.3.Math.\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.{\mathrm{Mi}}^2\right)+\left[.Math.\mathrm{aam}\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.{\mathrm{Mi}}^2\right)\right]/\left[.Math.\mathrm{Sol}.Math..Math.3.Math.\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.\mathrm{Mi}\right)+.Math.\mathrm{aam}\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.\mathrm{Mi}\right)\right]=\left(200.8+1.4\right)/\left(57.5+10\right)=3.00.Math..Math.\mathrm{Mn}=\mathrm{Mn}=.Math.\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.\mathrm{Mi}\right)/.Math.\left(\mathrm{ni}\right)=[.Math.\mathrm{Sol}.Math..Math.3.Math.\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.\mathrm{Mi}\right)+\left[.Math.\mathrm{aam}\left({\mathrm{ni}}^{*}.Math.\mathrm{Mi}\right)\right]/\left[.Math.\mathrm{Sol}.Math..Math.3.Math.\left(\mathrm{ni}\right)+.Math.\mathrm{aam}\left(\mathrm{ni}\right)\right]=\left(57.5+10\right)/\left(27.4+76.7\right)=0.75$

Example 4: Osmolality of Claimed Osmotically Active Compositions in Physiological Buffer

[0316] Intermediate saccharide polymer preparations 1 and 3 from example 2 were measured for osmolality at different concentrations in presence of 0,1, 2 and 4% maltose, using the freezing point method, on an OSMOMAT 030 Gonotec Cryoscopic Osmometer. (results in mOsmol/kg). In all cases a higher osmolality as compared to Icodextrin was found.

[0317] Experimental Results:

[0318] All intermediate preparations, preparations and solutions of such preparations were continuously kept in 1Buffer (5.4 g/l NaCl, 4.5 g/l Na-lactate, 0.257 g/l CaCl.sub.2, and 0.051 g/l MgCl.sub.2, at pH5.5. Maltose was added to intermediate saccharide polymer preparations at different concentrations. Therefore, variations in osmolality are solely due to variation of concentration of intermediate saccharide polymer preparations tables (8 to 11).

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 8 Compositions w/o Maltose Addition Intermediate polymer preparation w/o maltose intermediate prep % total CHO % Sol 1 Sol 3 ICO 7.50% 7.50% 284 6.80% 6.75% 311 5.75% 5.75% 308 303 4.80% 4.80% 305 298 3.90% 3.90% 303 295 3% 3% 295 293

TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 9 Compositions with 1% Maltose Intmediate Polymer preparation + 1% Maltose intermediate prep % total CHO % Sol 1 Sol 3 ICO 8.50% 7.50% 315 7.80% 6.80% 343 6.75% 5.75% 334 329 5.80% 4.80% 331 327 4.90% 3.90% 330 326 4% 3% 326 322

TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 10 Compositions with 2% Maltose Intmediate Polymer preparation + 2% Maltose intermediate prep % total CHO % Sol 1 Sol 3 ICO 9.50% 7.50% 350 8.80% 6.80% 373 7.75% 5.75% 373 363 6.80% 4.80% 366 359 5.90% 3.90% 361 356 5% 3% 360 355

TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 11 Compositions with 4% Maltose Intmediate Polymer preparation + 4% Maltose intermediate prep % total CHO % Sol 1 Sol 3 ICO 11.50% 7.50% 409 10.80% 6.80% 433 9.75% 5.75% 431 416 8.80% 4.80% 427 417 7.90% 3.90% 418 415 7% 3% 417 410

[0319] Obtained experimental results were normalized and extrapolated to estimate osmolalilties for the three solutions over the range of concentrations claimed by this application (tables 12-15).

[0320] Normalized and extrapolated osmolalities for solutions of this invention

TABLE-US-00014 TABLE 12 Compositions w/o Maltose Addition Interm. polymer prep w/o maltose 0% maltose intermediate prep % total CHO % Sol 1 Sol 3 6.80% 6.80% 311-312 306-308 5.75% 5.75% 307-309 302-304 4.80% 4.80% 304-305 298-299 3.90% 3.90% 301-303 294-296 3% 3% 295-297 292-293 2% 2% 292-294 287-289

TABLE-US-00015 TABLE 13 Compositions with 1% Maltose Interm. polymer prep with 1% maltose 1% maltose intermediate prep % total CHO % Sol 1 Sol 3 6.75% 5.75% 335-337 330-332 5.80% 4.80% 332-334 327-329 4.90% 3.90% 328-330 323-325 4% 3% 325-327 320-322 3% 2% 321-323 316-318 2% 1% 318-320 313-315

TABLE-US-00016 TABLE 14 Compositions with 2% Maltose Intm. Polymer prep + 2% Maltose 2% maltose intermediate prep % total CHO % Sol 1 Sol 3 6.80% 4.80% 366-368 359-361 5.90% 3.90% 362-364 356-358 5% 3% 359-361 352-354 4% 2% 356-358 349-351 3% 1% 352-354 346-348

TABLE-US-00017 TABLE 15 Compositions with 4% Maltose Intm. Polymer prep + 4% Maltose 4% maltose intermediate prep % total CHO % Sol 1 Sol 3 7% 3% 418-420 409-411 6% 2% 415-417 406-408 5% 1% 412-414 402-404

[0321] Those skilled in the art understand that other solutions may be prepared with intermediate saccharide polymer preparations of lower Mw, Mn, than solutions 1 and 3. Such solutions would show higher osmolalities at comparable concentrations up to 500 mOsmol/kg, in presence of 4% maltose.

[0322] We also measured osmolalities of Solution 3 saccharide polymers 5.75% and Icodextrin 7.5%, both in physiological buffer, adding 1% of an amino acid mix (composition see example 3), maltose, sucrose, glucose, glycerol, carnitine, or carnisol (Table 16).

TABLE-US-00018 TABLE 16 Osmolalities of other small molecular weight osmotic drivers in comparison to maltose (at 1%) added to solution 3 (5.75 or Icodextrin 7.5%): no add 1% aam 1% mal 1% suc 1% glu 1% gly 1% cami 1% carno Sol3 glucans 308 382 340 341 366 410 396 357 mOsm/L (5.15%) Icodextrin 284 354 305 301 328 402 367 318-348 mOsm/L (7.5%)

Example 5: Assessing Ultrafiltration and CHO Absorption in an Animal Model

[0323] Peritoneal dialysis dwell times vary from less than 2 hours, for example in automated peritoneal dialysis (ADP): over 4 to 6 hours, for example in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD); to 8 to 12 hours in long dialysis dwells, for example whole day or whole night dwells. In this application, dwells of up to 6 hours are referred to as short PD dwells, whereas dwells of 8 hours and longer are referred to as long dwells.

[0324] One of our saccharide polymer preparations (Solution 3, at 5.75 wt-% glucan) was supplemented with 1% maltose to give solution 4 (example 3, Mw=3.03 kD, Mn-1.19 kD) at a total CHO concentration of 6.75% M, and an osmolality of 329 mOsmol/kg, and was applied to the rabbit model described by Leypoldt et al. (2013, PDI Vol. 33, pp 124-131), in comparison to commercial Extraneal containing 7.5% Icodextrin. 6 rabbits were separated into two groups A and B. The two solutions were tested on both groups in the frame of a cross over study.

[0325] Leypoldt et al. had been calculating ultrafiltration after a single dwell of 240 minutes, correcting for resting volume with a fluorescent volume marker. Instead, we carried out 5 dwells a day at 3, 30, 60, 120 and 240 minutes. The 3 minutes dwell served as a pre-flushing dwell to occupy volume that cannot be recovered from the peritoneum in a single dwell, and to guaranty that only fresh PD fluid is present in the peritoneum for the 30 minutes dwell. Further dwells were run consecutively through the day. At the end of each dwell, dialysate was recovered, and weighted to establish dialysate volume and to calculate net ultrafiltration volume. Samples of every dialysate were submitted to measure total CHO concentrations. Methods for CHO quantification as described in example 2. Altogether 6 rabbits were submitted to dialysis comparing an experimental dialysis solution corresponding to this invention with Icodextrin. 3 rabbits started with the test solution, the other 3 rabbits started with the Icodextrin control solution. After 2 days dialysis, rabbits were let to recover for two days, before being switched to the other dialysis solution respectively. All together 96 dialysis dwells were run, 16 dwells on each rabbit. We did not observe difference of dwell volumes depending on which solution a rabbit started on. For statistical evaluation we applied a single sided t-test with independent variances for both tested groups. Every dwell was regarded as an independent event and no correction for multiple testing was carried out. Table 17 shows results on net ultrafiltration volumes (in ml) for each dwell. (* statistically significance at <5%).

TABLE-US-00019 TABLE 17 NUF comparisons at different dwell times. NUF (ml) NUF (ml) Test Sol.4 Icodextrin pval 30 min 9 (18) 2 (6) 0.063 60 min 34 (13) 12 (8) 0.001* 120 min 46 (13) 13 (14) 0.002* 240 min 50 (8) 28 (21) 0.011*

TABLE-US-00020 TABLE 18 Average CHO absorption and calculation of NUF/CHO ratios, comparing 2 Solutions at different dwell times. Average CHO absorptions and NUF/CHOabs ratios are calculated in table 18 NUF(ml) NUF (ml) CHOabs. CHOabs. NUF/CHO NUF/CHO Test sol.4 Ico Test (g) Ico (g) Test Ico 30 min 9 2 3.88 3.69 2.4 0.5 60 min 34 12 4.18 3.58 8.1 3.3 120 min 46 13 5.15 4.78 9.0 2.7 240 min 50 28 5.85 4.75 8.6 5.9

[0326] In summary, we found: [0327] an average NUF of 9.3 ml/120 ml for a solution on the basis of this invention, after a 30 minutes dwell, versus 2 ml/120 ml for Extraneal. [0328] an average NUF of 34 ml/120 ml for our composition after a 60 minutes dwell, versus 12.3 ml/120 ml for Extraneal. [0329] an average NUF of 46 ml/120 ml for our composition after a 120 minutes dwell, versus 13 ml/120 ml for Extraneal. [0330] an average NUF of 50 ml/120 ml for our composition after a 240 minutes dwell, versus 28 ml/120 ml for Extraneal.

[0331] These results were very surprising to us. Based on data reported by Leypoldt et al. we would have expected NUF values around 50 ml/120 ml for Extraneal at 20 min. Most likely minor differences in realization of the model, the fact that we worked with 4 real dwells through the day, instead of a single dwell, and that we only considered the volume recovered from the rabbits, without corrections for resting volumes after the dwell, accounts for this difference. On the other hand resting volumes should be less of an issue in our study since we did multiple dwells during a day. Nevertheless, the comparatively higher performance of our composition versus Icodextrin at all time points, but more drastical at time points 60, 120 and 240 of this model, corresponding to short dwells in humans, by far exceeded our expectations. The model indicates that our compositions, even at lower concentrations then those applied in this animal experiment, would be highly efficient osmotic drivers for any medical application in general and for peritoneal dialysis specifically.

[0332] Furthermore, the ration NUF/CHO abs. is higher for the test solution at every time point. More importantly the three best values for this ration are all for the test solution, event at 240 min, which had previously been characterized to correspond to a long dwell.