The alveolar macrophages were isolated from Wistar rat lung

and cultured in normal and high glucose condition

and then stimulated respectively

with IFNx - 2b

BCG and the combination of IFNa - 2b and BCG. The concentration of nitric oxide(NO) and tumor necrosis factor - a (TNF - a) in cultured rat alveolar macrophages was evaluated. The results showed that the volume of NO and TNF - a produced by alveolar zaacrophages after stimulation with BCG was aignificantly lower in the high glucose group than in the control ( P< 0.01)

and the volume of NO and TNF- a produced by alveolar macrophagea after stimulation with IFNa - 2b was not different between the high glucose group and the control group (P>0.05). Under the effect of IFNa - 2b and BCG

the volume of NO and TNF - a produced by alveolar macrophages in high glucose conditions decreased significantly in comparison with control group. These data indicate that the decrease of NO and TNF - a produced by alveolar macrophages in high glucose condition might be an important factor enhancing the development of pulmonary infection of diabetes mellitus.