title: [Effect of chronic alcohol abuse on the phagocytotic activity of blood monocytes].
abstract: The phagocytic abilities of human monocytes/macrophages have been investigated in people with chronic alcohol abuse. The blood monocytes of the patients were tested in three functional systems: Fc-receptor-mediated phagocytosis, phagocytosis via complement receptor interaction and the so-called lectinophagocytosis. In a group of 57 alcoholics, the values for the phagocytic ability were distributed over a wide range by using all three tests in comparison with a group of 23 non-drinking control persons. However, a significant change in the monocytic function by ethanol could not be observed. Also a correlation between age, liver damage or abstinent periods with respect for these forms of phagocytosis could not be evaluated. As a result of our investigations we discuss our hypothesis, that in chronic alcoholics the so-called "unspecific defense mechanisms" are not altered at all: on the contrary, sometimes they have been up-regulated. A functional defect of specific defense mechanisms, however, has been observed by other investigators. Accordingly, we assume a compensatory up-regulation of "unspecific" immune reactions in long-term alcoholics.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Immunbiologie, Universität zu Köln.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Uhlenbruck
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Mil
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D010587:Phagocytosis
vernacular_title: Einfluss chronischen Alkoholmissbrauchs auf die Phagozytoseleistung von Blutmonozyten.