Abstract
Summary
Depression of the phagocytic activity of the reticuloendothelial system has been demonstrated to occur following surgery in rodents and in man. Since optimal expression of macrophage cells generally requires the presence of phagocytic-promoting factors, studies were undertaken to evaluate alterations in plasma recognition factor activity in normal subjects undergoing unilateral nephrectomy to provide a kidney for a person in renal failure. Additionally, plasma recognition factor activity was measured at varying intervals in patients maintained on renal dialysis and undergoing renal transplantation. Recognition factor activity was evaluated by the ability of plasma to enhance the phagocytosis of 131I-triolein labeled RE test lipid emulsion by macrophage cells incubated in vitro. In both surgical populations studied, significant depletion of plasma recognition factor activity occurred at 1–7 days post-surgery. Restoration of opsonic activity occurred in all cases. Surgery induced phagocytic depression may reflect recognition factor depletion.
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