Role of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in the process of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis

ObjectiveTo investigate the role and clinical significance of changes of levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in the process of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients.MethodsA total of 50 patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in the Shanghai Changhai Hospital between May 1999 and July 2000 were enrolled into this study. They were assigned to two groups according to diagnostic standard of peritonitis-Group A, with episodes of peritonitis; Group B, in the absence of peritonitis. The serum and peritoneal effluent levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 during and after peritonitis were assessed by using sandwiched enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsThe serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in Group A were significantly lower compared with Group B (214.5 ± 90.7 vs 511.2 ± 124.7 ng/mL; p<0.01). The peritoneal effluent levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in Group A were significantly higher than those in Group B (5.8 ± 1.6 vs 2.1 ± 0.9 ng/mL; p<0.01). For Group A, after treatment of peritonitis, the serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 profoundly increased to 506.1 ± 107.8 ng/mL and the peritoneal effluent levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 markedly decreased to 3.9 ± 1.1 ng/mL, compared with those during peritonitis, respectively (p<0.01).ConclusionThe study showed that increased peritoneal effluent levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 during peritonitis possibly activate or damage peritoneal mesothelial cells. Monitoring changes of levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in peritoneal dialysis fluid may be useful for analyzing the process of peritonitis.