Seasonal variation in the phagocytic activity and arachidonic-acid metabolism of human blood monocytes in healthy non-smokers, smokers and chronic bronchitics.
Peripheral blood monocytes are precursor cells to alveolar macrophages (AMs). Many studies have been performed with a view to assessing the differences, in respect of morphology and function, between the AMs of smokers and those of non-smokers. Disturbed host-defence activity of smokers' AMs is reflected by, for instance, decreased phagocytic activity and impaired arachidonic acid metabolism. However, very little attention has been paid to the question what effects cigarette smoking and chronic bronchitis may have on the function of the precursors of these cells--the blood monocytes. The collection of blood monocytes is much less laborious than the sampling of AMs. Therefore, it would be a great advance if the deteriorated host defence in chronic bronchitis could be detected and followed by studies of blood monocytes. However, a seasonal variation in monocyte function, discussed in this paper, may counteract the advantage inherent in repeated sampling. This seasonal variation in cellular host-defence mechanisms should be taken into account when designing longitudinal intervention trials in chronic bronchitis.
Linden
M
M
Research & Development Department, AB Draco, Lund, Sweden.
Larsson
M
M
Prellner
T
T
Brattsand
R
R
D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000097:blood*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000378:metabolism; D012621:Seasons; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood*
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D016718:Arachidonic Acid