| [ Summary ] |
Increased production of proinflammatory cytokines in patients on chronic dialysis is influenced by uremia, and dialysis-related procedures, such as dialysate contamination and membrane biocompatibility. In addition, underlying disease and chronic persistant infection may also contribute to increases in cytokine levels. MIA (malnutrition, inflammation and atherosclerosis) syndrome, leads to increased cytokine levels in dialysis patients and is involved in the development of atherosclerosis and malnutrition, thereby leading to poor prognose. To lessen cytokine production, it is beneficial to purify the dialysate and to use biocompatible membranes. Drugs such as aspirin or statins, as well as antihypertensive agents such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists, may reduce cytokine production, but these agents have not been proven useful for dialysis patients. |