Monocyte locomotion in anergic chronic brucellosis patients: the in vivo effect of ascorbic acid.
In 14 patients suffering from relapsing chronic brucellosis who were anergic to brucella antigens, we have studied peripheral blood monocyte random migration and chemotaxis against non-specific and specific leukoattractants, as well as plasma and monocyte ascorbic acid levels. We found that all parameters studied, were significantly beneath normal, when compared to normal subjects. After the oral administration of ascorbic acid at a daily dose of 1gr for 15 consequetive days, random and directed migration against a non-specific stimulus (casein) returned to normal. Directed migration against disease associated leukoattractants (brucella melitensis and brucella abortus) antigens improved significantly, without reaching normal values. We concluded that ascorbic acid supplementation might partially restore peripheral, monocyte function and help the monocyte-macrophage system to mount an effective immune response against chronicity of brucella infection.
2nd Medical Department, Aristotelian University, Thessaloniki, Greece.
P
P
Boura
G
G
Tsapas
A
A
Papadopoulou
I
I
Magoula
G
G
Kountouras
D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology
D001205:Ascorbic Acid