Serial cytokine changes in peritoneal effluent and plasma during peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)

Objective and Design: Secretion of IL-2 and sIL-2R in the peritoneal dialysis fluid and in the peripheral blood during peritonitis with reference to the process of IL-6 and IL-8 release were investigated. Subjects: 17 patients with end-stage renal disease, treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Methods: ELISA method using commercial kits, Genzyme Corp Boston and DAKO. Results: Markedly increased IL-6 (mean; 2895+/-1360 pg/ml) and IL-8 concentration (1459+/-966 pg/ml) in drain dialysate fluid at the onset of peritonitis, scarred to drop rapidly in the successive samples after antibiotics had been administered. Statistically significant increase of IL-2 (197+/-92 pg/ml) and sIL-2R (287+/-79 pg/ml) was observed 16h later and kept increasing until reaching the peak after 24 h. Conclusion: Secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 pro-inflammatory cytokines which are mainly synthesized in mesothelium cells is followed by the activation of lymphocytes, their infiltration and the production of T lymphocyte derived IL-2 and sIL-2R.