[Comparison of granulocyte function in diabetes mellitus type 1 and type 2]

The phagocytosis rate of polymorphonuclear leucocytes was measured by flow-cytometry. Vital bacteria were incubated in whole blood. 111 blood samples were measured, 54 in diabetic patients (14 type 1 and 40 type 2), the rest of 57 samples in healthy controls. Results showed firstly, that a decompensation in glucose metabolism in diabetic patients correlated with a decrease in phagocytosis. The HbA1 level was more closely correlated than the glucose level. The second result was, that despite a similar grade of decompensation in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients, the phagocytosis was significantly lower in type 1 diabetes. No correlation was found concerning age and sex. These findings show, that the impact on granulocytic function in diabetes is of multifactorial origin, not only a shorter or longer elevation of the serum glucose level can explain it solely.