INCREASE OF C-REACTIVE PROTEIN SERUM VALUES FOLLOWING HEMODIALYSIS

In this study serum C-reactive protein values were measured to prove the induction of an acute-phase response during the haemodialysis procedure in end-stage renal disease patients. C-reactive protein values were measured with a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect values below the detection limit of standard assays. Predialysis C-reactive protein serum values in 17 patients on regular haemodialysis with cuprophan dialysers were greater than those of 18 normal controls (P < 0.001). In the same group of haemodialysis patients serum C-reactive protein values 24 h after haemodialysis were significantly greater than predialysis values (P < 0.001). These results suggest that acute-phase proteins are induced during haemodialysis, probably due to cytokine release during the haemodialysis procedure.