ABSTRACT
The extent and duration of macrophage impairment was studied in the liver, spleen and lung of rats. This effect was obtained by intraveous infusion of sulfur colloid. The extent and duration of this impairment was evaluated by macrophage phagocytosis of carbon colloid pigments after intravenous injection of China ink. The results showed hepatic phagocytic inhibition lasting for 24 to 72 hours. In the spleen, phagocytic depression lasted seven days. In the lungs, depression of phagocytosis occurred only when the two types of particles were infused concomitantly. In conclusion, colloidal particles inhibited the phagocytic function of macrophages, and the end of this effect occurred earlier in the lung and later in the spleen. These data may be considered in studies related to depression of the mononuclear phagocytic system