The functions of circulatory polymorphonuclear leukocytes in diabetic patients with and without diabetic triopathy

We determined circulatory polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) functions of s uperoxide anion production: adhesion and aggregation in 38 type 2 diabetic patients with and without diabetic triopathy. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a lpha-stimulated superoxide production and N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylal anine (FMLP)-stimlated aggregation in diabetic patients with triopathy were significantly greater than those in diabetics without triopathy. The more diabetic complications existed, the more TNF-alpha-stimulated superoxide wa s produced by PMN. These results suggest that the activated PMN contributes to a progression of diabetic triopathy in type 2 diabetic patients.