Modulation of immune reactions in hemodialysis patients with chronic renal failure: Evaluation of different immunological parameters

ABSTRACT

Circulating immune complexes [CIC], autoantibodies [antinuclear antibodies [ANA] and anti-DNA antibodies], total and differential serum proteins, bactericidal activity of neutrophils and lymphocyte protein membrane profiles were studied in 15 patients with chronic renal failure [CRF] undergoing hemodialysis [HD] and 10 healthy persons. The data obtained indicated that the ANA were detected in 20% of the patients, whereas, the anti-DNA antibodies were present in 13.33% of them. On the other hand, the normal control subjects showed no evidence of autoantibodies. A significant increase was observed in the mean levels of CIC and in the mean values of serum protein gamma- globulin fraction of the patients. SDS-PAGE [SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis] of lymphocyte membrane proteins revealed a difference between patients and controls. In addition, the bactericidal activity of neutrophils to microorganisms was impaired in those patients. It was concluded that, uremia related factors as well as the exposure of immune cells to artificial surfaces during dialysis may be the cause of this immune modulation observed in this study