IL-10 genotype predicts serum levels of adhesion molecules, inflammation and atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) patients suffer from inflammation and accelerated atherosclerosis that accounts for a large number of premature deaths. The anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10 gene is polymorphic and potential direct effects of IL-10 gene polymorphisms on the circulating serum levels of adhesion molecules, inflammation and atherosclerosis in HD patients still have to be elucidated.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, circulating serum levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin (E-selectin), and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), serum albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in 121 HD patients (70 male and 51 female, with mean age 49 +/- 18 yrs).