Abstract: Objective To investigate the changes and clinical significance of serum cytokines in the maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients with depression. Method 79 cases of MHD patients were enrolled in this study, and by Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) scores, divided into two groups, depressive group and non-depressive group. Serum levels of cytokines including IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The incidence of depression in MHD patients was 57%. The serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in depression group were much higher than those in non-depressive group (P<0.05), while TNF-α had no differences between these two groups. The serum levels of IL-6 were significant increased with the degrees of depression in MHD patients (P<0.05), and correlated positively with severity of depression in MHD patients. Conclusion The cytokines IL-1β，IL-6 may play important roles in the depression of MHD patients, especially IL-6, and the latter may used as predictive index for severity of depression in MHD patients.

Key words: Maintenance hemodialysis, Cytokine, Depression, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression