[Evaluation of the phagocytic activity of peripheral blood neutrophils in patients with hyperthyroidism]

In 80 women with hyperthyroidism (40 with diagnosed Graves disease and 40 with hyperactive nodular goiter) the following tests related to the function of peripheral blood neutrophils have been carried out: 1. nitrotetrazolium blue (NRT) reduction test. 2. evaluation of phagocyting activity by using latex particles and living bacteria cells, and 3. determination of immunoglobulin concentration and the C3 component of the complement in blood serum. The following features were found in the patients with hyperthyroidism: 1. the elevated values of the index of spontaneous NBT reduction which return to normal following the treatment with propranolol or metizol lasting 14 days, 2. a decrease in the phagocyting activity of neutrophils occurring with stimulation of phagocytosis by both the latex particles and bacteria cells. 3. the return to normal values of the index of neutrophils phagocyting the latex particles following two-week treatment with propranolol or metizol. It was concluded that in patients with hyperthyroidism the changes in NRT reduction and phagocyting activity of peripheral blood neutrophils return to normal following the two-week treatment of these patients with both propranolol and metizol.