Phagocytosis of inert particles in the reticuloendothelial system in rats with experimental insulinopenic diabetes

Phagocytosis of inert, radioactive gold particles in the reticuloendothelial system of rats in the case of experimental insulinopenic diabetes was studied. In the spleen, phagocytosis was seen to have fallen to a relatively low level after four weeks from the induction of diabetes. In the liver, there was noted a reduction in phagocytosis per gram of organ, though it remained the same for the total organ which in the case of diabetes mellitus increases in weight relative to body weight. This difference in reaction of the reticuloendothelial system in the liver and spleen has also been observed in mice with tumors. The importance of the findings of the present study for increased sensitivity to infections of poorly controlled diabetic patients is discussed in greater detail.