【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate cyclooxyenase-2 (COX-2) expression in mononuclear cells of peripheral blood and the relationship between COX-2 expression and levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 in hemodialysis patients Methods We recruited 48 maintenance hemodialysis patients and 25 healthy volunteers in this study. ELISA was used to detect COX-2, IL-6 and IL-8 in the medium of cultured mononuclear cells from peripheral blood. Serum high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) was also measured. Results hs-CRP, COX-2, IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly higher in maintenance hemodialysis patients than in healthy controls. Correlation was found between COX-2 expression and levels of IL-6, IL-8 and hs-CRP. Conclusion Microinflammatory state presented in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Positive feedback between COX-2 expression and the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 may exist to promote the microinflammatory state in these patients.