SERUM LYSOZYME ACTIVITY AND NITROBLUE TETRAZOLIUM REDUCTION TEST IN DOGS WITH DIABETES-MELLITUS

Serum lysozyme activity and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction by blood phagocytes were studied in 24 dogs with controlled insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and in 16 healthy controls aged from 6 to 12 years. In dogs with diabetes mellitus serum lysozyme activity was significantly (p < 0.001) lowered. The NBT reducing value of circulating phagocytes in diabetic dogs was increased (p < 0.05), whereas these cells increase in NBT reduction following stimulation (stimulation index) was decreased (p < 0.05). It is suggested that in diabetic dogs changes in activity of circulating and tissue phagocytes may occur.