[Cytochemical properties of peripheral blood neutrophils in patients with hyperthyroidism]

In the cytoenzymatic investigations of peripheral blood neutrophils in patients with hyperthyroidism there was found the increase of acid phosphatase activity, beta-glucuronidase, leucine aminopeptidase, and catalase moreover there was found the decrease of the activity of alkaline phosphatase. After a two-week treatment with thiamazole (methimazole++) 50 mg in 24-hour dose there was observed the decrease of acid phosphatase activity in neutrophils. During incubation of plasma containing leucocytes, from healthy persons, with L-thyroxine there was observed the increase of the activity for acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase. In patients with hyperthyroidism there appear many changes of enzymic equipment of neutrophils which are concerned with lysosomal and connected with cell membrane enzymes. The results of cytochemical investigations after application of thiamazole and no difference, with exception of catalase, between patients with Graves-Basedow disease and with toxic goitre and the results of investigations in vitro with L-thyroxin point out, that there is the possibility of connection between the observed changes in the range of enzymic equipment of neutrophils and the hormonal state of the investigated group of patients.