Serum calcium and hepatic Kupffer cell phagocytosis.

Serum calcium can markedly influence the phagocytic activity of the hepatic Kupffer cell. Specifically, depletion of calcium by chelator induced impairment of phagocytosis but elevation of serum calcium levels above normal leads to a progressive inhibition of phagocytosis. The findings suggest that alterations of serum calcium may induce significant R.E.S. functional changes which may produce a state of altered host resistance. The relationship of these observation to disturbances of the macrophage system during mealignancy, which is known for its ability to alter dramatically the serum calcium concentration warrants further investigation.