Abstract
The chemotaxis of neutrophils in peripheral blood was measured y the agarose plate method and their phagocytosis by the flow cytometry method in patients on hemodialysis. The in vitro effect of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) on these neutrophil functions was also investigated.
In patients on hemodialysis, both the chemotaxis and phagocytosis of neutrophils were reduced as compared to those of healthy individuals, and defense capability against infection was significantly reduced (p<0.01). Incubation with 1ng/ml of rhG-CSH caused significant enhancement of neutrophil function (chemotaxis and phagocytosis) in human dialysis patients (p<0.01).
However, no further increases in neutrophil function were seen at concentrations of rhG-CSF higher than 1ng/ml. It was suggested that rhG-CSF is a clinically useful agent which can ameliorate the deficiency in defense against infections seen in compromised hosts, such as hemodialysis patients.
