[Effect of acute exposure to SO2 on cellular defense mechanisms in the lung (pilot study)].

Sulphur dioxide is one of the most important and most frequent atmospheric pollutant of our environmental setting. In presented pilot-study we describe the influence of acute exposure to sulphur dioxide on alveolar macrophages of guinea pigs. The alveolar macrophages represent the main part of mononuclear phagocytic system, which is responsible for the defence of respiratory tract against foreign compounds. The experimental animals were exposed over three hours to sulphur dioxide with the concentration of about 400 ppm. After exposure we did not find significant changes in phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages.