Depression in spontaneous cell-mediated cytotoxicity occurs during hemodialysis

NK activity against K 562 target cells and the percentage of HNK-1+ lymphocytes in peripheral blood were evaluated in 24 patients on maintenance hemodialysis prior to and during post hemodialysis session. No difference was found in the NK activity of these patients before hemodialysis and normal subjects. On the other hand patients had a decreased number of HNK-1+ cells. During hemodialysis, the NK activity as well as the HNK-1+ cell count decreased. No correlation was found between these parameters and either the cause of end-stage renal disease or the duration of dialysis treatment. In addition no correlation was observed between NK activity and the number of HNK-1+ cells.