[Effect of sodium nitroprusside on erythrocyte phagocytosis by peritoneal macrophages in white rats]

The study investigates into the role of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) in erythrophagocytosis in rats in vitro. The data indicate that NO enhances the ability of macrophages to adhere and ingest erythrocytes with the rise of nitric oxide concentration in cultural medium. NO influence on red blood cells has been shown to be more significant than its effects on macrophages. The reaction of NO with macrophages results in promotion of initial stages of erythrophagocytosis: macrophages' ability of adhering to the plate and to adhere erythrocytes increases. However, the final stages of erythrophagocytosis are activated just by the influence of NO on red blood cells. Therefore our results have demonstrated that the target point for NO is erythrocyte. We have also confirmed that NO effects are dose-dependent.