[Effect of chronic alcohol abuse on the phagocytotic activity of blood monocytes]

The phagocytic abilities of human monocytes/macrophages have been investigated in people with chronic alcohol abuse. The blood monocytes of the patients were tested in three functional systems: Fc-receptor-mediated phagocytosis, phagocytosis via complement receptor interaction and the so-called lectinophagocytosis. In a group of 57 alcoholics, the values for the phagocytic ability were distributed over a wide range by using all three tests in comparison with a group of 23 non-drinking control persons. However, a significant change in the monocytic function by ethanol could not be observed. Also a correlation between age, liver damage or abstinent periods with respect for these forms of phagocytosis could not be evaluated. As a result of our investigations we discuss our hypothesis, that in chronic alcoholics the so-called "unspecific defense mechanisms" are not altered at all: on the contrary, sometimes they have been up-regulated. A functional defect of specific defense mechanisms, however, has been observed by other investigators. Accordingly, we assume a compensatory up-regulation of "unspecific" immune reactions in long-term alcoholics.