Impaired granulocyte adherence in mildly diabetic patients: effects of tolazamide treatment.

Granulocyte adherence in 10 of 15 untreated asymptomatic hyperglycemic diabetic outpatients (mean fasting glucose +/- SEM, 289 +/- 16 mg/100 ml) was 62 +/- 7% of control values. After treatment (2--4 wk) with tolazamide (500 mg daily), adherence to the nylon fiber columns employed in this study returned to control levels in the seven patients whose fasting glucose levels fell, (mean, 192 +/- 16 mg/100 ml) and deteriorated in the three in whom fasting hyperglycemia worsened. Results of this study indicate that, even in some mildly diabetic patients, a reduction in granulocyte adherence similar to that found in insulin-dependent diabetics may impair the inflammatory response.