Phagocytosis, bactericidal capacity, and superoxide anion (O2-) production by polymorphonuclear neutrophils from patients with diabetes mellitus

Phagocytosis, bactericidal capacity and superoxide anion production of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) were estimated in 30 patients with well-controlled insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD) and in 50 patients with non insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDD). The estimations were additionally done in 20 elderly patients without glucose intolerance. The estimations of bactericidal capacity were performed in autologous-, zymosan activated-, inactivated- and control plasma. The phagocytosis of viable staphylococci was unchanged in all evaluated groups. The bactericidal capacity in all diabetic patients was significantly reduced. It was fully correctable in patients with IDD by suspension of cells in control or zymosan activated plasma. The improvement of PMN bactericidal capacity in patients with NIDD in similar conditions was less distinct. The superoxide anion production in patients with IDD was similar to values noticed in healthy persons. Whereas, the O2- production in patients with NIDD as well as in elderly patients were significantly reduced and correlated significantly with bactericidal capacity impairment. The possible mechanism of noticed disturbances were discussed.