Kinetics of mobilization of neutrophils and their marrow pool in
protein-calorie deficiency
AK Suda, M Mathur, K Deo and MG Deo
Migration of marrow neutrophils under basal conditions and their
mobilization, following subcutaneous implantation of cover slips, were
investigated in groups of protein-deficient rats, using 3HTdR with
sequential autoradiography of the peripheral blood smears. Animals fed a
protein-rich diet served as controls. The pattern of appearance of labeled
neutrophils in the blood was identical in the two groups under basal
conditions. However, a higher percentag of labeled neutrophils appeared
earlier in the blood following cover slip implantation in the deficient
rats as compared to controls. The inflammatory exudate on the cover slips
was low throughout the period of observation in deficient animals, with a
delay in the appearance of monocytes. A pool of mature neutrophils resides
in the bone marrow. It is proposed that in PCM there is atrophy of all
neutrophil compartments, including that of the marrow pool, associated with
a proportionate reduction in the efflux of cells from one compartment to
another. This proportionate reduction in efflux would explain the normal
kinetics of migration of neutrophils under basal conditions in the
deficient rats in spite of a reduction in the marrow pool. On the other
hand, in cover slip-implanted deficient rats, appearance of larger numbers
of labeled neutrophils in the blood is attributed to a reduction in size of
the marrow pool. This hypothesis is substantiated by the experiments in
protein-deficient monkeys in which estimation of the marrow pool of
neutrophils revealed a marked reduction in the deficient animals. It is
further proposed that a diminuation of the marrow pool of neutrophils and
retarded mobilization of cells at the site of inflammation are important
mechanism responsible for the increased susceptibility of the malnourished
host to infections.
Volume 48,
Issue 6,
pp. 865-875,
12/01/1976
Copyright © 1976 by The American Society of Hematology
