Generation of superoxide anions during phagocytosis by monocytes of uremic patients.

The phagocytic activity of monocytes from 15 uremic patients was estimated by the superoxide anion test. There was a significant decrease in the ability of monocytes from these patients to produce superoxide anions in comparison with monocytes obtained from healthy subjects. Addition of urea to monocytes from healthy subjects caused a marked reduction in their ability to produce superoxide anions, while addition of creatinine did not cause any effect. Monocytes from patients with renal failure of glomerular origin were found to produce less superoxide anions than those from patients with other types of renal diseases.