Exercise in haemodialysis patients: impact on markers of inflammation

End-stage renal disease patients have a greatly increased risk of cardiovascular disease partly attributed to the elevated levels of systemic inflammation observed in uraemia. One of the key mechanisms underlying inflammation appears to be the immune dysfunction that afflicts almost every aspect of the uraemic immune system. As a consequence patients experience immunosuppression and reduced responsiveness to antigen as well as a simultaneous over-activation leading to a pro-inflammatory environment. In addition, the haemodialysis (HD) treatment itself induces a proinflammatory response but may provide an otherwise opportune time to complete supervised exercise. [Continues.]