Presence of ACTH and beta-endorphin immunoreactive molecules in the freshwater snail Planorbarius corneus (L.) (Gastropoda, Pulmonata) and their possible role in phagocytosis

The presence of ACTH and beta-endorphin immunoreactive molecules in the cell-free hemolymph and in the hemocytes of the freshwater snail Planorbarius corneus were demonstrated by immunocytochemistry and RIA tests. Only spreading phagocytic hemocytes were positive, in contrast with other hemocytes devoid of phagocytic activity, i.e., round hemocytes. These data were confirmed by flow cytometry. Another cell type with marked phagocytic activity, i.e., digestive cells of digestive gland, were also positive to anti-ACTH. Corticotropin-releasing factor immunoreactive molecules were found in the cell-free hemolymph and hemocytes, by RIA. Our data suggest that cells with phagocytic activity, the oldest immune response, may represent a suitable model to unravel the tangled web of the common ancestor of the immune and the neuroendocrine systems.     

Cytochemical observations of coelomocytes from the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris.

Synopsis Coelomocytes of the earthworm,Lumbricus terrestris, were stained by cytochemical techniques to determine the biochemical composition of the seven different cell types and subtypes. The enzymes acid phosphatase and -glucuronidase are present in all types of coelomocytes, but are especially abundant in basophils and neutrophils; the differences in enzyme amounts correlate well with the differences in phagocytic activity of the various cell types. No peroxidase is present. The cytoplasmic basophilia of basophils is due primarily to ribonucleic acid. Basophils also contain large deposits of glycogen, with neutrophils and chloragogen cells containing somewhat lesser amounts. The predominant granules of the two types of acidophils and of granulocytes are composed of a basic protein and a neutral mucopolysaccharide or glycoprotein. A second granule population, present in low numbers in acidophils and granulocytes, but in larger numbers in basophils and neutrophils, is small in size and lipid-positive and may, in part, represent lysosomes.Lipid is especially abundant in the vesicles and granules of the two types of chloragogen cells. Some granules of chloragogen cells also contain ferrous and ferric iron and a substance with pseudoperoxidase activity. The cytoplasm contains protein, glycogen, and a neutral mucopolysaccharide. In addition, acid mucopolysaccharides are variably present in the cytoplasm of chloragogen cells, the only coelomocytes to contain this class of substances.     

IL-4 induces adherence of human eosinophils and basophils but not neutrophils to endothelium. Association with expression of VCAM-1.

The present studies were performed to explore potentially selective mechanisms of leukocyte adhesion in an attempt to understand how preferential recruitment of eosinophils and basophils might occur during allergic and other inflammatory reactions. Stimulation of human vascular endothelial cells for 24 h with IL-4 (30 to 1,000 U/ml) induced adhesion for eosinophils (up to approximately four-fold of control) and basophils (up to approximately twofold of control) but not neutrophils (less than 125% of control). Analysis of endothelial expression of adhesion molecules by flow cytometry revealed that IL-4 treatment induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression without significantly affecting the expression of other adhesion molecules, namely endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) or intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). The concentration-response curve for IL-4-induced VCAM-1 expression paralleled that for adhesion. Endothelial cells stimulated with IL-4 expressed adhesive properties for eosinophils by 3 h; the response increased steadily during a 24-h time course study. Eosinophils and basophils adhered to plates coated with a recombinant form of VCAM-1. This adhesion was blocked with antibodies to VCAM-1 but not ELAM-1. mAb directed against either VCAM-1 or VLA-4 inhibited (by approximately 75%) the binding of eosinophils and basophils to IL-4-stimulated endothelial cells. Because VLA-4 and VCAM-1 have been demonstrated to bind to each other in other adhesion systems, these results suggest that IL-4 stimulates eosinophil and basophil adhesion by inducing endothelial cell expression of VCAM-1 which binds to eosinophil and basophil VLA-4. The lack of expression of VLA-4 on neutrophils and the failure of IL-4 to stimulate neutrophil adherence support this conclusion. It is proposed that local release of IL-4 in vivo in allergic diseases or after experimental allergen challenge may partly explain the enrichment of eosinophils and basophils (vs neutrophils) observed in these situations.     

Elevated anti-parasitic activity in peripheral blood monocytes and neutrophils of cattle infected with Babesia bovis

The innate immune response to bovine Babesia bovis infection in vivo has not previously been established. We used assays measuring phagocytosis and oxidative burst to investigate the immune response because they are indicative of the innate antimicrobial capacity of monocytes and neutrophils. Monocyte and neutrophil phagocytosis is thought to be non-specific in nature and so the phagocytosis of either opsonised Zymosan or Escherichia coli was used to indicate the non-specific phagocytic capacity of monocytes and neutrophils ex vivo. The kinetics of both phagocytic and oxidative burst activity in monocytes and neutrophils were followed twice weekly from pre-inoculation (day 0) through to 31 days after inoculation. Peripheral blood monocytes were found to display a pronounced oxidative burst, but a suppressed capacity to phagocytose during a primary infection. On the other hand, neutrophils exhibited an increased phagocytic capacity and reduced oxidative activity during a primary infection. These findings identified considerable antimicrobial activity evident in peripheral blood monocytes and neutrophils from cattle exposed to B. bovis as a primary exposure. This elevated antimicrobial activity was coincident with the time that parasite numbers peaked in the circulation and occurred prior to parasite clearance. These results suggest that peripheral blood monocytes and neutrophils are active mediators in the innate immune response to a primary B. bovis.     

Cytochemical and ultracytochemical studies of peroxidase activity in rabbit blood granulocytes under hydrocortisone effect

Cytochemically peroxidase activity has been examined on the light optical and ultrastructural levels in blood granulocytes of the rabbits after a single (5 mg/kg) and multiple (1 and 5 mg/kg every 24 hrs during 4 weeks) administrations of hydrocortisone. Under electron microscope peroxidase activity was detected in the blood of intact rabbits into typical primary granules (TPG) and small polymorphic granules (SPG) of neutrophils as well as into specific granules of basophils sometimes in perinuclear space and GER channels. 6 h after hydrocortisone injection peroxidase activity in neutrophils increased, the reaction product in both kinds of cytoplasmic granules was electron denser than in the controls. After multiple hydrocortisone (1 mg/kg) administrations peroxidase general activity in granulocytes has not considerably changed, but the number of TPGs and SPGs was decreased in neutrophils. Multiple administrations of a higher dose of hydrocortisone (5 mg/kg) have induced peroxidase activity decreasing in neutrophils and a decrease in the number and electron density of TPGs and SPGs in them. In basophils there was a significant accumulation of the reaction product of high electron density in perinuclear space, in specific granules and GER channels. The conclusions has been drawn that a short-term raising of hydrocortisone level stimulates and prolonged hypercorticism inhibits peroxidase activity in neutrophils and, consequently, their function.     

Neutrophil phagocytic activity of the peripheral blood in experimental keratoconjunctivitis in a sensitized macroorganism

The study of the characteristics of the phagocytic activity of peripheral blood neutrophils (the activity and intensity of phagocytosis, the index of its completeness) in the sensitized organism in experimental keratoconjunctivitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli has revealed a decrease in the phagocytic function of neutrophils. Still more pronounced suppression of the ingestive and digestive activity of leukocytes has been observed in cases of the combined action of bacterial allergens and benzylpenicillin potassium, which probably accounts for the ineffectiveness of the penicillin treatment of bacterial keratoconjunctivitis.     

Identification of selective basophil chemoattractants in human nasal polyps as insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor-2

In a search for novel leukocyte chemoattractants at sites of allergic inflammation, we found basophil-selective chemoattractant activity in extracts of human nasal polyps. The extracts were fractionated by reverse phase HPLC, and the resulting fractions were tested for leukocyte-stimulating activity using sensitive shape change assays. The basophil-selective activity detected was not depleted by a poxvirus CC-chemokine-binding protein affinity column. This activity was further purified by HPLC, and proteins in the bioactive fractions were analyzed by tandem electrospray mass spectrometry. Insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) was identified in these HPLC fractions, and the basophil-stimulating activity was inhibited by an anti-IGF-2-neutralizing Ab. Recombinant IGF-2 induced a substantial shape change response in basophils, but not eosinophils, neutrophils, or monocytes. IGF-2 stimulated chemokinesis of basophils, but not eosinophils or neutrophils, and synergized with eotaxin-1/CCL11 in basophil chemotaxis. IGF-2 also caused up-regulation of basophil CD11b expression and inhibited apoptosis, but did not stimulate degranulation or Ca(2+) flux. Recombinant IGF-1 exhibited similar basophil-selective effects as IGF-2, and both growth factors were detected in nasal polyp extracts by ELISA. This is the first demonstration of chemokinetic factors that increase the motility of basophils, but do not act on other granulocytes or monocytes. IGF-1 and IGF-2 could play a role in the selective recruitment of basophils in vivo.     

Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 in human peripheral blood granulocytes: a critical role for monocytes in leukocyte lipopolysaccharide responses

Leukocyte responsiveness to LPS is dependent upon CD14 and receptors of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family. Neutrophils respond to LPS, but conflicting data exist regarding LPS responses of eosinophils and basophils, and expression of TLRs at the protein level in these granulocyte lineages has not been fully described. We examined the expression of TLR2, TLR4, and CD14 and found that monocytes expressed relatively high levels of cell surface TLR2, TLR4, and CD14, while neutrophils also expressed all three molecules, but at low levels. In contrast, basophils expressed TLR2 and TLR4 but not CD14, while eosinophils expressed none of these proteins. Tested in a range of functional assays including L-selectin shedding, CD11b up-regulation, IL-8 mRNA generation, and cell survival, neutrophils responded to LPS, but eosinophils and basophils did not. In contrast to previous data, we found, using monocyte depletion by negative magnetic selection, that neutrophil responses to LPS were heavily dependent upon the presence of a very low level of monocytes, and neutrophil survival induced by LPS at 22 h was monocyte dependent. We conclude that LPS has little role in the regulation of peripheral blood eosinophil and basophil function, and that, even in neutrophils, monocytes orchestrate many previously observed leukocyte LPS response patterns.     

Leukocyte specificity and binding of human neutrophil attractant/activation protein-1

Neutrophil attractant/activation protein-1 (NAP-1) was previously shown to attract human neutrophils, but not monocytes. The purpose of this study was to determine if NAP-1 interacted with other types of blood leukocytes. In addition to its chemotactic activity for neutrophils, NAP-1 induced chemotactic responses by T lymphocytes and basophils. Chemotactic potency (10(-8) M for an optimal response) was the same for all three cell types. However, NAP-1 caused a chemotactic response in excess of random migration of 7% or 16% of basophils (depending on the medium used) and only 9% of T lymphocytes, in contrast to 30% of neutrophils. This agonist was not chemotactic for partially purified normal human eosinophils. The symmetrical histogram obtained by flow cytometry of neutrophils equilibrated at 0 degree C with fluoresceinated NAP-1 indicates that all neutrophils bound the ligand. A dose-response curve plateau, and inhibition of binding of NAP-1-FITC by unlabeled ligand are evidence for saturable binding to receptors, estimated to be 7000 per cell. Our results suggest that, for induction of an acute inflammatory response, the quantitatively significant action of NAP-1 is on neutrophils.     

Ultrastructure of the bone marrow of the salamander Plethodon glutinosus (Caudata: Plethodontidae)

The unusual lymphogranulopoietic bone marrow of the large lungless salamander Plethodon glutinosus was examined by light and electron microscopy. Developing neutrophils, eosinophils, and fat cells were found in large numbers, while lymphocytes of various sizes, plasma cells, plasmablasts, macrophages, pigment cells, and fibroblasts were present in more moderate numbers. Basophils were observed only rarely. Macrophages were found in extravascular locations and did not appear to be associated directly with the walls of the blood vessels supplying the marrow. Both neutrophils and eosinophils seemed to arise from small precursor cells whose ultrastructural features bore a resemblance in some ways to those of mammalian myeloblasts described by Bainton and Farquhar ('66). Developing neutrophils and eosinophils seemed to produce only single populations of specific cytoplasmic granules, rather than both primary (azurophilic) and secondary (specific) inclusions, as are produced typically by mammalian granulocytes. Both eosinophilic and neutrophilic granules were formed in association with Golgi complexes; and eosinophilic granules were much larger, more densely stained, and more regularly rounded in shape than the inclusions of developing neutrophils. Peroxidase activity was associated with the specific granules of neutrophils but seemed to be lacking in the granules of eosinophils. The specific granules of eosinophils were especially unusual because they contained irregularly shaped, lightly stained cores which occasionally displayed a distinctly crystalline substructural organization. The specific granules of basophils also possessed a prominent crystalline organization. The overall appearance of the marrow of Plethodon suggests that it functions not only as a valuable source of neutrophils, eosinophils, and cells of the lymphoid series, but also as a part of the phagocytic system of the animals and as an important repository for fat.     

The effect of modulators of free-radical oxidation on the functional activity of phagocytes

The influence of free-radical oxidation inhibitors (alpha tocopherol) and stimulators (levamisole and alriblastin) on the processes of the peroxide oxidation of lipids in blood serum and the phagocytic activity of peripheral blood neutrophils in Salmonella infection in rabbits at an early age is accompanied by phasic changes in the peroxide oxidation of lipids with activation at the early period of the development of the infection. The synchronism of changes in the peroxide oxidation of lipids and in the phagocytic activity of neutrophils is observed. Alpha tocopherol inhibits the peroxide oxidation of lipids and decreases the degree of the completeness of phagocytosis. Alriblastin stimulates the peroxide oxidation of lipids and increases the phagocytic activity of neutrophils.     

Morphological and phagocytic characteristics of peritoneal exudate cells in tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Trewavas), and carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

The morphology and phagocytic activity of peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) obtained by an intraperitoneal injection of liquid paraffin into tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus , and carp, Cyprinus carpio , were studied with light and electron microscopy. PEC consisted of monocyte-macrophage series cells (M-Mø), neutrophils, eosinophils (granular cells) and others. Cells exhibiting the same morphology as mammalian macrophages but different from monocytes of the same species were identified with light and electron microscopy and designated as peritoneal macrophages. Light and electron microscopy revealed that M-Mø, neutrophils and eosinophils (granular cells) phagocytozed foreign materials added in vivo and in vitro. Eosinophils appeared later in the peritoneal exudate and less actively phagocytic as compared with M-Mø and neutrophils. Small and large phagosomes were formed in M-Mø, neutrophils and eosinophils (granular cells). Large phagosomes were common in neutrophils. Fusion of cytoplasmic granules with the phagosome membrane was observed. The in vitro experiment on phagocytosis revealed that the phagocytic rates in M-Mø and neutrophils were positively correlated with the doses of foreign materials. The results indicated that these two cell types have the highest capacity of phagocytosis.     

Neutrophils process exogenous bacteria via an alternate class I MHC processing pathway for presentation of peptides to T lymphocytes

Peptides that are presented by class I MHC (MHC-I) molecules derive from cytosolic Ags processed via the conventional MHC-I pathway or exogenous Ags processed via alternate MHC-I processing mechanisms. Alternate MHC-I processing by macrophages and dendritic cells allows presentation of peptides from particulate Ags, including bacteria. Despite the established phagocytic activity of neutrophils, MHC-I processing and presentation of phagocytosed Ags by neutrophils has not been investigated. Murine neutrophils from peritoneal exudates were shown to express MHC-I molecules and tested for the ability to process HB101.Crl-OVA, Escherichia coli transfected to express a fusion protein containing the 257-264 epitope of OVA. Neutrophils were found to process HB101.Crl-OVA and present OVA(257-264)-K(b) complexes to CD8OVA T hybridoma cells via a pathway that was resistant to brefeldin A, an inhibitor of anterograde endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi transport, and lactacystin, a proteasome inhibitor. These results suggest that neutrophils process phagocytosed bacteria via a vacuolar alternate MHC-I pathway that does not involve cytosolic processing. In addition, neutrophils were found to secrete or "regurgitate" processed peptide that was subsequently presented by neighboring prefixed macrophages or dendritic cells. Thus, neutrophils may influence T cell responses to bacteria, either by directly presenting peptide-MHC-I complexes or by delivering peptides to other APCs for presentation. Hypothetically, neutrophils may directly present peptide to effector T cells in vivo at sites of inflammation, inducing cytokine production, whereas dendritic cells in receipt of neutrophil-derived antigenic peptides may migrate to lymphoid organs to initiate T cell responses.     

In vitro effect of actinomycin D on human neutrophil function

The effect of actinomycin D (ACT-D) on human neutrophil chemotaxis, chemiluminescence (CL), superoxide (O2-) production, phagocytic uptake, and intracellular bacterial killing has been examined. The viability of the ACT-D-treated neutrophils was 98% even at a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml for 4 hr. Using fMLP as the chemotactic factor, depressed chemotaxis was demonstrated following ACT-D (1-10 micrograms/ml) pretreatment of neutrophils as compared with the non-treated controls. Similar ACT-D pretreatment produced the depressed responses in phorbol myristate acetate-induced CL and superoxide production by neutrophils. Moreover, using heat-inactivated human serum as an opsonin for Salmonella enteritidis (NCTC 6676), there was a significant difference in intracellular killing (P less than 0.01) but no difference in phagocytic uptake between ACT-D-treated and non-treated neutrophils. These studies indicate that ACT-D profoundly impairs both intracellular bacterial killing by human neutrophil through an effect on respiratory burst activity and directed cell migration of human neutrophils.     

Evaluation of two methods for measuring nonspecific immunity in tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum)

Study of amphibian immunotoxicology is a growing area of research, but very little information is available on how environmental contaminants affect disease resistance in urodele amphibians. Urodele amphibians lack the more highly evolved aspects of the specific immune system that are present in anurans, birds, and mammals. Instead, these animals rely more heavily on innate defense mechanisms than do anurans to provide rapid, nonspecific protection from pathogens. Thus, it is prudent that immunotoxicologic research with urodele amphibians includes an evaluation of effects of contaminant exposure on nonspecific immunity. The objectives of this study were to measure the phagocytic and oxidative-burst activity of peritoneal neutrophils collected from a urodele, the tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum), and to evaluate the use of these assays in immunotoxicologic research using urodele amphibians. Using tiger salamanders collected in August 2000, phagocytosis and oxidative-burst assays modified from mammalian protocols were conducted through October 2001. Results indicated that large numbers of peritoneal neutrophils for use in immunotoxicologic tests can be collected from salamanders injected with thioglycollate. Moreover, these neutrophils readily engulfed foreign material (phagocytic activity) and produced measurable amounts of hydrogen peroxide (oxidative-burst activity). Phagocytosis was effectively inhibited by incubating cells with sodium azide (P<0.001), and quantification of phagocytosis using flow cytometry was well correlated with manual counts (r=0.84, P<0.001). Dexamethasone treatment reduced phagocytic activity as measured by manual counts (P<0.02), suggesting that this test is useful for detecting alteration by immunosuppressive agents. In contrast, oxidative function was unaffected by dexamethasone treatment, and results from the oxidative-burst assay were generally less consistent than those from the phagocytosis assay. Based on these results, phagocytic activity of peritoneal neutrophils may be a useful endpoint in immunotoxicologic studies to evaluate the impact of environmental contaminants on innate defense mechanisms in urodele amphibians.     

Stimulation of phagocytic processes and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of human neutrophils by cefmetazole.

Interactions between antimicrobial agents and phagocytic cells, especially neutrophils, have a potential role in the treatment of infections. The in vitro effects of cefmetazole, a novel beta-lactam antibiotic, at a therapeutic concentration reached in plasma (50 micrograms/ml) on phagocytic and cytotoxic functions of human neutrophils have been studied. In human neutrophils, adherence capacity to nylon fiber and to substrate, chemotaxis, attachment to and ingestion of Candida albicans (with serum, with decomplemented serum and without serum), ingestion of inert particles (latex beads), candidicidal activity and superoxide anion production were all stimulated by cefmetazole. Cefmetazole at this dose was a chemotactic agent for neutrophils. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) was also increased by this anti-microbial agent.     

Combined astaxanthin and fish oil supplementation improves glutathione-based redox balance in rat plasma and neutrophils

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of daily (45 days) intake of fish oil (FO; 10mg EPA/kg body weight (BW) and 7 mg DHA/kg BW) and/or natural ASTA (1mg ASTA/kg BW) on oxidative stress and functional indexes of neutrophils isolated from Wistar rats by monitoring superoxide (O(2)(-)), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), and nitric oxide (NO()) production compared to the progression of auto-induced lipid peroxidation and Ca(2+) release in activated neutrophils. Furthermore, phagocytic capacity, antioxidant enzyme activities, glutathione-recycling system, and biomarkers of lipid and protein oxidation in neutrophils were compared to the redox status. Our results show evidence of the beneficial effects of FO+ASTA supplementation for immune competence based on the redox balance in plasma (significant increase in GSH-dependent reducing power), non-activated neutrophils (increased activity of the glutathione-recycling enzymes GPx and GR) and PMA-activated neutrophils (lower O(2)(-), H(2)O(2), and NO() generation, reduced membrane oxidation, but higher phagocytic activity). Combined application of ASTA and FO promoted hypolipidemic/hypocholesterolemic effects in plasma and resulted in increased phagocytic activity of activated neutrophils when compared with ASTA or FO applied alone. In PMA-activated neutrophils, ASTA was superior to FO in exerting antioxidant effects. The bulk of data reinforces the hypothesis that habitual consumption of marine fish (e.g. salmon, which is a natural source of both astaxanthin and fish oil) is beneficial to human health, in particular by improving immune response and lowering the risk of vascular and infectious diseases.     

Study of leukotoxic activity of Cl. perfringens type A toxin and its fractions obtained by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography]

In gel-filtration of Cl. perfringens type A toxin on Sephadex F-100 and F-50 there was revealed relationship between the leukotoxic activity and a high-molecular component. A method of ion-exchange chromatography on a column with DEAE-Sephadex A-25 from the Cl. perfringens toxin there were obtained 8 fractions 3 of which possessed a marked leukotoxic activity: the capacity to destroy neutrophils in the Svejcar and Vancurik test and to-depress the phagocytic activity of leukocytes. Lecithinase and lethal activity was revealed in one of these fractions only. Leukotoxic fractions differed by the capacity to destroy neutrophils and to decrease their phagocytic activity.     

Acute and chronic influence of hemodialysis according to the membrane used on phagocytic function of neutrophils and monocytes and pro-inflammatory cytokines production in chronic renal failure patients

This work evaluated the phagocytic capacity of monocytes and neutrophils, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 6, 1 and 8 serum levels in chronic renal failure patients under peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis treatment, compared with chronic renal failure patients without dialysis treatment and healthy individuals, in order to contribute to a better understanding of the action of these therapies on the evolution of chronic renal failure patients. All patients with chronic renal failure (under dialysis or not) showed decreased phagocytic capacity of neutrophils and monocytes. All those in hemodialysis (cellulose acetate or polysulfone membranes) showed a decreased phagocytic capacity. The phagocytic index for neutrophil was 13 times lower than that of the control group for both membranes, whereas for monocytes, only those using polysulfone membrane showed a significant decrease of 4.9 times in phagocytic capacity. There was an acute stimulation of the phagocytosis by neutrophils after a single session of dialysis with both types of membrane, while only cellulose acetate membrane decreased the phagocytic index of monocytes after the hemodialysis session. Patients using cellulose acetate showed a chronic increase in tumor necrosis factor-alpha serum levels, while those using polysulfone showed a chronic increase in interleukin 6. After a single hemodialysis procedure, no acute effect of the treatment on tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 6 levels was identified. The decreased phagocytic function of neutrophils and monocytes may account for the high levels of susceptibility of chronic renal failure patients to infections with pyogenic bacteria and tuberculosis. Furthermore, inflammatory activity may occur with both types of membrane studied, suggesting that it will be useful for these patients to evaluate some anti-inflammatory or anti-cytokine therapies against tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 6, in order to avoid cardiovascular complication.     

Phagocytic activity of neutrophils from the peritoneal dialysate of patients with chronic renal failure treated by intermittent peritoneal dialysis.

The phagocytic activity of peritoneal neutrophils was assessed using Bacto-Latex in 50 patients with chronic renal failure treated with intermittent peritoneal dialysis, and in 30 control patients with normal renal function. In the group of patients treated with peritoneal dialysis 20 were additionally investigated while developing peritonitis. A significant decrease in the phagocytic activity of neutrophils was observed in the both dialysed groups, as compared with control subjects. Moreover, the phagocytic activity was significantly lower in patients with peritonitis as compared with dialysed patients without this complication.