[Cytobiochemical characteristics of the function of pulmonary alveolar macrophages during development of immune reactions after exposure to chemical air pollutants].

Based on an analysis of correlations between variation in the amount of alveolar macrophages of rat lungs and activity of enzymes localized in these cells (acid phosphatase, beta-galactosidase, beta-glucosidase, lactate dehydrogenase), the cytobiochemical changes in the function of pulmonary alveolar macrophages have been defined with the use of a model of permanent inhalation exposure to sulfur dioxide. The use of the model enables the dilimitation of the stages of defence-compensatory reactions and their transition to an unfavourable biological effect. The results obtained may serve as a theoretical basis for recommending a wider experimental application of the tests in question during regulation of environmental factors.