Seasonal Variation in the Function of Blood Monocytes Obtained from Healthy Nonsmokers, Asymptomatic Smokers, and Smokers with Chronic Bronchitis

Abstract

The present study focused on two questions: What effects do cigarette smoking and chronic bronchitis have on the function of the precursors of alveolar macrophages, the blood monocytes? Can seasonal variations affect the function of these cells? Phagocytic activity (the proportion of yeast-ingesting cells and the mean number of yeast particles per ingesting cell) and metabolism of arachidonic acid [secretion of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in zymosan-stimulated cultures] were studied as markers of monocyte function during three seasons: spring (May-June), autumn (November-December), and winter (February). Smokers with chronic bronchitis (SCBs) and asymptomatic smokers (ASs) had a lower proportion (p < 0.05) of ingesting monocytes than healthy nonsmokers (HNSs) during spring, but not during the other two seasons. The secretion of PGE2 was highest during autumn and lowest during spring in the monocytes of all three groups. In autumn, LTB4 secretion was increased in the monocytes of HNSs (p < 0.05) but not in those of ASs and SCBs. LTB4 secretion was similar in all groups during the other two seasons. Cigarette smoking and chronic bronchitis seem to impair the function of monocytes and may thereby affect the systemic host defense activity. Cells collected during autumn were generally more active than those sampled in spring, indicating marked seasonal variation in the function of monocytes from all three groups.

Ex vivo interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor-α responsiveness with monocytes from patients with head and neck carcinoma

“…One patient had distant metastases at the time of inclusion. The primary sites of the carcinomas were: maxilla (2), oral cavity (18), pharynx (21) and larynx (29). Blood samples for monocytes were drawn from both cancer and control patients at the bedside at 8 a.m. of a day in hospital prior to treatment in order to ensure a minimum level of stress within both groups as well as comparable physical activity prior to sampling.…”

“…Factors such as the different extent of stress [2], amount of physical activity prior to blood sampling [5], smoking habits [21] and alcohol consumption [22] between cancer and control groups might all per se cause a changed monocyte responsiveness. Previous studies have shown that the exclusion of the various confounding factors from a cancer/control study of the peripheral blood immune system is important to determine the T-lymphocyte in vitro responsiveness [18].…”

Seasonality in Flares and Months of Births of Patients with Ulcerative Colitis in a Chinese Population

“…The possible factors modulating the immune response in different seasons and at different temperatures has been studied by some groups. The warmer temperature can facilitate the locomotion of human neutrophilic leukocytes and lymphoblasts [34,35] and thereby induce the release of inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin (IL)-6 [36,37]. These fluctuations in immune function in the different seasons may explain the seasonal variations in symptom flares of UC.…”

Tietze Syndrome and Idiopathic Costochondritis - Treatment Modalities, Recurrence Rates, Seasonality

“…Seasonal differences in the lymphocytic responses of men and women have been previously reported. [18] Additionally, differential seasonal effects of some hormones in both boys and girls have been described. [25] Similar factors may play roles in the sex-related difference in IC and TS frequencies.…”

“…[13][14][15] In this context, seasonal variation in many medical diseases has been investigated. [16][17][18] To the best of our knowledge, no study to date has focused on the seasonality of IC and TS.…”