[Effect of alcohol on the lymphocyte system. V. Evaluation of blast transformation and rosette formation of peripheral blood lymphocytes in alcoholics].

Transformation and rosette formation of peripheral blood lymphocytes were studied. We have observed decrease in lymphocyte response to the mitogen as well as in spontaneous ability to the transformation. The percent of B-rosettes was diminished, while T-rosettes were in normal ranges. Lower index of completely transformed ones in men indulged to freely in alcohol may be consequence of altered cell membrane fluidity of shifts in T lymphocyte subpopulations.