Update on interleukin-6 and its role in chronic renal failure

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Although a number of pro‐inflammatory [such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin (IL)‐1] and anti‐inflammatory (such as IL‐10) cytokines orchestrate the inflammatory response, available data suggest that IL‐6 and its soluble receptor (sIL‐6R) are central regulators of the inflammatory process [1]. The IL‐6 system promotes inflammatory events through the activation and proliferation of lymphocytes, differentiation of B cells, leukocyte recruitment and the induction of the acute‐phase protein response in the liver [2]. Chronic inflammation is increasingly recognized as an important issue due to its role in various pathological states, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer and malnutrition [2]. Significant epidemiological information has recently linked plasma IL‐6 to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in non‐renal patient groups [3]. Also, in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients an elevated IL‐6 level is a strong predictor of poor outcome [4].