Objective To gain a better understanding of the regulatory mechanism and ki
netic behaviour of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).
Methods An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to det
ect serum G-CSF in 61 patients with chronic renal failure +/- long-term hem
odialysis and 30 normal controls.
Results Serum G-CSF levels in CRF patients were significantly higher than i
n normal controls. Eighty percent of patients had detectable G-CSF and seru
m G-CSF levels were 566.40 +/- 207.98 ng/L in nonhemodialyzed (non-HD) pati
ents. The detectable percentage in hemodialyzed patients was 93.33%, serum
G-CSF levels in pre-HD and post-HD patients were 1255.36 +/- 611.25 ng/L an
d 1151.61 +/- 599.47 ng/L respectively. Serum G-CSF levels in HD patients w
ere slightly higher than in non-HD patients, but no significant difference
was found between the two groups. No difference was found between the G-CSF
values obtained in pre-HD and post-HD patients. There was no relationship
between G-CSF levels and WBC, BUN or Scr (P > 0.05).
Conclusion The high value of G-CSF in patients with CRF may be caused by a
decrease in G-CSF clearance and/or an increase in G-CSF release.