1995 年 37 巻 3 号 p. 179-185
Inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-a, IL-1β and IL-6, have been reported to be responsible for acute or chronic complications and biocompatibility issues in dialysis patients have focused on the role of these cytokines. Expression of mRNA for TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and their plasma concentrations was examined in 10 hemodialysis and 10 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Plasma TNF-α and IL-1β levels in hemodialysis, CAPD and in every heathy subject were below the detection limits. Plasma IL-6 concentration was increased significantly in hemodialysis and CAPD patients when compared to normal controls (p<0. 01). Expression of mRNA for TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in PBMCs was increased significantly (p<0.01) in hemodialysis and CAPD patients compared to normal subjects. These mRNA expressions were lower in CAPD patients than in hemodialysis patients (p < 0.05). Significant correlation was observed between the plasma IL-6 concentration and PBMC IL-6 mRNA expression in patients on hemodialysis or CAPD (p<0.01). IL-6 mRNA expression in PBMCs did not correlate with the duration of hemodialysis or CAPD, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or serum creatinine levels. These findings suggest that mRNA expression indicates stimulation by dialysis procedures in patients, and CAPD is tolerated better than hemodialysis by patients with end-stage renal failure.