CHIH-KANG CHIANGJENQ-WEN HUANGHsu, Shih-PingShih-PingHsuHo, Tai-ITai-IHoPai, Mei-FenMei-FenPaiPeng, Yu-SenYu-SenPengLiu, Shing-HwaShing-HwaLiuKUAN-YU HUNGTUN-JUN TSAI2020-12-242020-12-2420060253-5068https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-32944476078&doi=10.1159%2f000090411&partnerID=40&md5=25bfee094f1cb99768e2fb04f31fde1dhttps://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/532359Background/Aims: This study investigated changes of interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels before and after dialysis, and the possible association with other pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Methods: Plasma IL-18 of healthy controls, and pre- and post-dialysis of uremic patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) were evaluated by ELISA methodology. Results: Plasma IL-18 levels were significantly increased in patients with maintenance HD (p < 0.001) compared to its level in normal subjects. When compared to pre-dialysis levels, a significant increase in plasma IL-18 was measured at the end of HD (p = 0.032). There was a significant correlation among plasma IL-18, IL-6 and TNF-α levels in HD patients. Conclusion: Plasma IL-18 concentration was significantly higher in HD patients and was significantly elevated by cellulose-based HD processes. Pre-activation of immunologically active cells may contribute to the association between pre-dialysis IL-18 and post-dialysis IL-6 and TNF-α levels. Copyright ? 2006 S. Karger AG.[SDGs]SDG3interleukin 18; interleukin 6; tumor necrosis factor alpha; adult; aged; article; blood analysis; clinical article; controlled study; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; female; hemodialysis; human; kidney disease; male; priority journal; protein blood level; uremia; Aged; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Interleukin-18; Interleukin-6; Male; Predictive Value of Tests; Renal Dialysis; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Uremiajournal article10.1159/000090411163574792-s2.0-32944476078