[Morphofunctional state of alveolar macrophages after administration of ethanol]

In white non-inbred female rats, that were regularly given ethanol with drinking water in concentration 100 g/l for 2, 5 and 10 months, functional state of the pulmonary alveolar macrophages has been analyzed, using cytological, cytochemical and electron microscopical methods. In two months their functional activity is inhibited, and in 5 and 10 months--activation is observed, that results not only in formation of certain protective reactions in the lungs, but facilitates development of certain pathological processes in the organ.