[Morphofunctional state of pulmonary macrophages and their biological protection during phagocytosis of toxic elements].

Studies of a morphofunctional state of macrophages of the lungs of rats in phagocytosis of quartz (size of particles 1-2 mum) and against the background of prophylactic administration of polyvinylridine-N-oxyde (PVNO) were carried out using the method of quantitative cytochemistry (interference microscopy and cytometry) and electron-microscopy techniques (raster and transmissive). It was established that administration of PVNO led to intensification of the phagocytic activity of macrophages, increase in the content of RNA and dry weight (total proteins) therein, enlargement of the sizes of cells. The electron-microscopy investigation showed a good preservation of organelles of macrophages.