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

Abstract We determined circulatory polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) functions of superoxide anion production, adhesion and aggregation in 38 type 2 diabetic patients with and without diabetic triopathy. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated superoxide production and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP)-stimulated aggregation in diabetic patients with triopathy were significantly greater than those in diabetics without triopathy. The more diabetic complications existed, the more TNF-α-stimulated superoxide was produced by PMN. These results suggest that the activated PMN contributes to a progression of diabetic triopathy in type 2 diabetic patients.