Deuterium-oxide-induced degranulation of human eosinophils in allergic asthmatic patients in vitro

The aim of the study was to trace the response of eosinophil granulocyte to deuterium oxide in a group of atopic asthmatic patients. The study was performed in 20 asthmatic patients and 10 healthy subjects. Eosinophils were isolated on sodium metrizoate and then degranulated in deuterium oxide at the concentrations of 5, 25, 44, 50, 75 and 100%. Eosinophils were counted in a Fuchs-Rosenthal haemocythometric. In 7 of 20 patients eosinophil reaction did not differ from this in normal subjects. In 13 asthmatic patients the eosinophil degranulation in 44% D2O or more was stated. The results suggest that eosinophils are hyperresponsive to non-allergic stimuli in atopic asthmatics.