THE INFLUENCE OF CHRONIC ALCOHOL-ABUSE ON THE PHAGOCYTIC CAPACITY OF HUMAN BLOOD MONOCYTES

The phagocytic abilities of human monocytes/macrophages have been inve stigated in people with chronic alcohol abuse. The blood monocytes of the patients were tested in three functional systems: Fc-receptor-medi ated phagocytosis, phagocytosis via complement receptor interaction an d the so-called lectinophagocytosis. In a group of 57 alcoholics, the values for the phagocytic ability were distributed over a wide range b y using all three tests in comparison with a group of 23 non-drinking control persons. However, a significant change in the monocytic functi on by ethanol could not be observed. Also a correlation between age, l iver damage or abstinent periods with respect for these forms of phago cytosis could not be evaluated. As a result of our investigations we d iscuss our hypothesis, that in chronic alcoholics the so-called ''unsp ecific defense mechanisms'' are not altered at all: on the contrary, s ometimes 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.