.88 ± 22.1, 9.27 ± 2.03 µm, respectively. Pegylated IFN-a2b decreased CH-induced expression of MMP-2 in the parietal peritoneum, but had no effect on TIMP-2 levels. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal dosage and duration for pegylated IFN-a2b treatment.

Peritonitis is an important cause of the mortality and morbidity of peritoneal dialysis patients. The present study aims to investigate the effects of ynterferon (IFN)-a2b on intestinal flora in peritoneal fibrosis. Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups. The control group received 0.9% saline (3 mIld) intraperitoneally; the chlorhexidine gluconate (Cll) group received 3 ml daily injections of 0.1% CH intraperitoneally; the CH+IFN group received 3 ml daily injections of 0.1% CH intraperitoneally and pegylated IFN-a2b 1.5 /-lg/kg per week subcutaneously on days 0, 7, 14. On the twenty-first day rats were sacrificed and visseral peritoneum samples were obtained from the liver.