[Morphofunctional characteristics of alveolar macrophages under the effect of a toxic factor]

The work was conducted on Wistar rats who had received orally the xenobiotic hexachlorocyclohexane (HClCH) in different doses. The sizes of the alveolar macrophages and type II pneumocytes as well as the parameters of macrophage phagocytosis were studies. Administration of HClCH in subtoxic doses not exceeding the pesticide residues in the food in the first two months stimulated synthesis of the surfactant and its phagocytosis by the alveolar macrophages; further administration of the primer led to exhaustion of the cell function. A toxic HClCH dose induced synchronous stimulation of the functional interaction of the alveolar macrophages and type II pneumocytes by the end of the second month. Synthesis of the surfactant and its phagocytosis were stabilized in the period of the after-effect of the drug.