الفهرس 
HemodialysisOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
End stage renal disease is the final stage of CKD which is associated with accumulation of pro inflammatory cytokines as a consequence of decreased renal elimination. IL-18 is a pro inflammatory cytokine which has an implicated role in the regulation of different sets of chronic renal diseases like DN and chronic viral hepatitis. IL-18 contributes to the progression of nephropathy by directly affecting kidney function in addition to its pro inflammatory effect. VEGF is a signal protein produced by cells that stimulate vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, and it is an important mediator in maintaining normal kidney functions. The up regulation of VEGF in glomeruli may be associated with renal dysfunction such as diabetic nephropathy. Also there is an increase of the hepatic angiogenesis in chronic viral hepatitis. The present study was conducted in Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University. The objective of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of IL-18 and VEGF in ESRD patients subjected to hemodialysis and to determine the effect of comorbidities like diabetes mellitus and viral hepatitis on their levels. Ninety six patients undergoing hemodialysis; (group I) twenty five diabetic patients with hepatic viral infections, (group II) twenty five diabetic patients without hepatic viral infections, (group III) twenty five non diabetic patients with hepatic viral infections and (group IV) twenty one age- & sex-matched non diabetic and non-hepatic patients on hemodialysis as a control group.