[Releasing activity of superoxide radicals by neutrophils and monocytes in hemodialyzed patients with chronic renal insufficiency].

Superoxide anion (O2-.) production by neutrophils and monocytes was measured in the peripheral blood of 23 patients hemodialyzed for 14 years. The O2-. production by these cells decreased as the time of hemodialysis advanced. The correlation between O2-. production and peripheral blood smears was also evaluated. Patients with higher neutrophils percentages had lower O2-. production by neutrophils and monocytes. These results indicate that an abnormally increased counts of neutrophils and monocytes in peripheral blood of hemodialyzed patients may depress immunoregulatory function. In addition, decreased O2-. production by these cells should be considered when assessing the defence mechanism and susceptibility to infection of these patients.