Neutrophil leucocyte function in primary hyperparathyroidism

Neutrophil leucocyte chemotaxis, phagocytosis and oxidative metabolism were measured in six patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) who underwent parathyroidectomy. The preoperative neutrophil chemotaxis value was 6.2 +/- 0.3 arb.U. and this decreased to 5.8 +/- 0.5 arb.U. (p less than 0.05) on the third postoperative day and to 5.4 +/- 0.3 arb.U. three weeks later. Serum calcium levels were 2.95 +/- 0.06 mmol/l preoperatively and decreased to 2.20 +/- 0.05 (p less than 0.05) and 2.34 +/- 0.05 mmol/l (p less than 0.05) on the third and 21st day after parathyroidectomy. Phagocytosis measured as the intracellular uptake of complement-opsonized yeast particles by neutrophils was not influenced by operation. In a control group, six patients undergoing hemithyroid ectomy due to microfollicular tumours were studied. In this group leucocyte chemotaxis, phagocytosis and serum calcium levels were not significantly different before and after surgery. Neutrophil oxidative metabolism, measured by the ability of the cells to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), was similar in the HPT and control groups both before and after operation. The results indicate that HPT is associated with an abnormal leucocyte migration which is reversed after successful parathyroidectomy.