[Oxidative metabolism changes in respiratory tract cells of guinea pigs during natural development of experimental tuberculosis and under specific chemotherapy].

108 guinea pigs were infected with M-tuberculosis 2 weeks later 36 of them were put on treatment with rifampicin and isoniazid, the rest served as untreated control. The comparison was made of mixed population of all the cells isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage versus pure fraction of alveolar macrophages (AM) by spontaneous and BCG killed culture-stimulated NBT-test, activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase, levels of malonic dialdehyde. Estimations were conducted 1 day, 1, 2 and 6 weeks after inoculation in untreated animals and after 1 months of treatment in treated animals. AM lost ability for stimulation to the end of 24 h period since inoculation. 1-2 weeks later metabolic depression and complete areactivity occurred. Mixed population within postinoculation week 1 mobilized its defense potential. In extensive generalized tuberculosis all the cells of the respiratory tract worked for self-defense and lost protecting abilities. Specific chemotherapy reestablished functional status of both AM and cell population on the whole.