[Structure and biochemical parameters of glycoconjugates of alveolar macrophages exposed to fibrogenic dusts].

Changes in the metabolism of rat alveolar macrophages exposed to quartz and coal dusts were studied by biochemical methods. The intratracheal administration of quartz and coal dusts in 6 hours induced the augmented storage of glycoproteins on the cell surface and the increased lysosomal enzymes (beta-galactosidase, beta-glucuronidase) activities. The quartz dust also induced the decrease of hexauronic acids level. The interaction of macrophage with the fibrogenic dust (quartz) may cause severe disorders in the balance of carbohydrate constituents of glycocalyx, which impairs the vitality of alveolar macrophages.