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M F Radermecker

Publications and source records attributed to M F Radermecker.

44 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Depression of polymorphonuclear chemotaxis and T-lymphocyte proliferation following histamine inhalation in man.

Histamine, in vitro, via H2-receptor activation, exerts an inhibitory effect on polymorphonuclear (PMN) chemotaxis and T-lymphocyte proliferation. The aim of this study was to verify these histamine inhibitory effects in man. Healthy and asymptomatic asthmatic volunteers inhaled a histamine (0.1%), methacholine (0.1%) or saline aerosol for 3 min. Asthmatics were selected on the basis of low bronchial sensitivity to pharmacological agents. Blood was taken before and at different times following aerosol challenge. PMN chemotaxis was studied in vitro by the Boyden assay. T-lymphocyte proliferation was measured by counting H3-thymidine incorporation in cultured mononuclear cells. Plasma histamine was measured by a specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay. Inhalation of histamine or methacholine caused a 22-43% decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in asthmatics only. In both groups, there was a transient increase of plasma histamine immediately following histamine inhalation, and 2 and 4 h later, a significant decrease of PMN chemotaxis and T-lymphocyte proliferation. Inhalation of methacholine or saline had no effect on leukocytes. Oral administration of an H2-receptor antagonist, cimetidine, before histamine inhalation, prevented the decrease of PMN chemotaxis and T-lymphocyte proliferation, whereas astemizole, an H1-antagonist, had no effect. In conclusion, histamine, at a dose commonly used for bronchial provocation tests, causes, in man, 2 and 4 h after inhalation, a depression of PMN chemotaxis (tested in vitro) and T-lymphocyte proliferation through activation of H2-receptors.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Occult exposure to asbestos in steel workers revealed by bronchoalveolar lavage.

To investigate the asbestos burden in a steelplant environment, we counted asbestos bodies (ABs) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of 65 steel workers who had retired during the previous 5 y. They had worked for at least 15 y in the same area of the plant (coke oven or blast furnace) as maintenance or production workers. On the basis of occupational anamnesis, 28 had occasional past professional exposure to asbestos; the remaining 37 workers denied any contact with asbestos. A total of 54 white-collar workers who had no occupational exposure to asbestos were included in the study as controls. An increased prevalence and concentration of ABs was found in the BALF of steel workers. Electron microscopy and EDAX analysis of AB from steel workers revealed that the core fibers were mainly amphiboles. More ABs were found in the BALF of maintenance workers than in production workers. However, the BALF from steel workers who denied any contact with asbestos revealed an increased AB burden v. controls. This demonstrates that steel workers may be subject to an occult exposure to amphiboles in the steelplant environment.

Asbestos↗