Influence of glycaemic normalisation by an artificial pancreas on phagocytic and bactericidal functions of granulocytes in insulin dependent diabetic patients.

Abstract

Ten insulin dependent diabetic patients were maintained in normoglycaemia for 36 h with an artificial pancreas. Circulating polymorphonuclear leucocytes were extracted and incubated with staphylococcus before and after treatment; phagocytic and bactericidal activities were studied. Granulocytes from diabetic patients showed a decreased ability to absorb staphylococcus and a reduced capacity for intracellular destruction of bacteria. These two functions were improved after 36 h of normoglycaemia but were not corrected.