[Oxygen radical production by alveolar macrophages in sarcoidosis in relation to activity status of bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytes].

Mediators of lymphocytic alveolitis in sarcoidosis are able to activate alveolar macrophages. In sarcoidosis, there is a pre-activation of the alveolar macrophages, which is reflected in an elevated production of O2 by the alveolar macrophages. There is a positive correlation between this radical load in the distal respiration tract and parameters of lymphocytic alveolitis.