Decreased nitroblue tetrazolium reduction of granulocytes in type IV hyperlipoproteinemia

NBT reduction of granulocytes was determined in 40 patients with primary hyperlipoproteinemia. The reaction was measured in granulocytes both in the resting state and after stimulation with E. coli, as well as with and without addition of plasma. In 17 patients with type IV hyperlipoproteinemia (endogenous hypertriglyceridemia), the NBT reduction was significantly decreased in all these types of experiments when compared with 12 healthy controls. Sera from hypertriglyceridemic patients decreased NBT reduction of normal granulocytes. Increasing concentration of VLDLs from normolipidemic donors had the same effect. It is suggested that plasma lipoproteins may influence granulocyte function.