Objective　To gain a better understanding of the regulatory mechanism and kinetic behaviour of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Methods　An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to detect serum G-CSF in 61 patients with chronic renal failure±long-term hemodialysis and 30 normal controls. Results　Serum G-CSF levels in CRF patients were significantly higher than in normal controls. Eighty percent of patients had detectable G-CSF and serum G-CSF levels were 566.40±207.98?ng/L in non-hemodialyzed (non-HD) patients. The detectable percentage in hemodialyzed patients was 93.33%, serum G-CSF levels in pre-HD and post-HD patients were 1255.36±611.25?ng/L and 1151.61±599.47?ng/L respectively. Serum G-CSF levels in HD patients were slightly higher than in non-HD patients, but no significant difference was found between the two groups. No difference was found between the G-CSF values obtained in pre-HD and post-HD patients. There was no relationship between G-CSF levels and WBC, BUN or Scr (P>0.05). Conclusion　The high value of G-CSF in patients with CRF may be caused by a decrease in G-CSF clearance and/or an increase in G-CSF release.