Cytokine levels during hemodialysis.

The authors measured plasma IL-1 (interleukin-1), IL-2, IL-2 receptor (IL-2R), IL-4, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GMCSF) in 10 stable patients during hemodialysis (HD) using new or reused polyacrylonitrile (PAN) or cuprophan (CU) dialyzers. Five HD patients with wasting syndrome, and 16 normal controls, were included. Hemodialysis patients showed a marked elevation of IL-2R. No IL-4, IL-6, or GMCSF were detected in any group. Tumor necrosis factor and IL-2 in the HD group were comparable with control values. No difference was found in the TNF levels in HD patients with and without wasting syndrome. Cytokine levels were unaffected by either new or used PAN or CU dialyzers.