The effect of propylthiouracil on function of phagocytic peripheral blood cells in persons with thyroid hyperfunction

Abstract

It is known that hyperthyroidism as well as thyrosuppressive therapy can influence the cells of immunological system. To examine the function of phagocyte cells in persons with hyperthyroidism and to examine if propylthiouracil (PTU) influences this function. The study included 15 patients with hyperthyroidism and 10 healthy persons. The parameters of phagocytic activity of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear leucocytes were tested by method of ingestion of particles of inactivated yeast labeled with neutral-red. It was demonstrated that patients with hyperthyroidism, before the onset of therapy as well as 14 days after introduction of PTU, had decreased number of leucocytes (before PTU: 6.7 +/- 3.2 x 10(9)/l, after PTU: 6.1 +/- 2.0 x 10(9)/l and control: 8.0 +/- 1.6 x 10(9)/l; p=0.039), PMN leucocytes (before PTU: 3.9 +/- 2,4 x 10(9)/l, after PTU: 3.5 +/- 1.6 x 10(9)/l and control: 4.8 +/- 0.9 x 10(9)/l; p=0.037) and number of phagocyte PMN cells (before PTU: 0.9 +/- 0.9 x 10(9)/l, after PTU: 0.9 +/- 0.7 x 10(9)/l and control: 1.3 +/- 0.6 x 10(9)/l; p<0,05), but they had increased index of phagocytosis (before PTU: 2.0 +/- 0.2, after PTU: 1.9 +/- 0.2 and control: 1.7 +/- 0.2; p=0.029), while capacity of phagocytosis remained unchanged (before PTU: 1.9 +/- 1.7 x 10(9)/l, after PTU: 1.6 +/- 1.9 x 10(9)/l and control: 2.4 +/- 1.4 x 10(9)/l; p>0.05). The number of mononuclear leucocytes and parameters of phagocytic activity of mononuclear phagocytes in persons with hyperthyroidism did not change significantly in comparison with the control group. Patients with hyperthyroidism had decreased number of leucocytes, PMN leucocytes and number of phagocyte PMN cells, and increased index of phagocytosis, while capacity of phagocytosis remained unchanged. The number and parameters of phagocytic activity of mononuclear leucocytes did not change. PTU therapy had no effect on the examined parameters.