EFFECTS OF MICROWAVE TREATMENT ON THE LYMPHOCYTESUBSETS IN CASES OF CHRONIC LYMPHEDEMA OF EXTREMITIES

Objective To determine the immune status of T lymphocyte subsets of patients with chronic lymphedema of extremities and the effects of microwave treatment. Methods Patients with lymphedema of extremities (n = 20) and normal volunteers (n = 10 ) were studied by fiuorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) or phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated monoclonal antibo dies (MoAbs) and dual color flow cytometry to examine the changes of lymphocyte phenotype in them before and after treatment. Results The percentage of CD 4 T lympcutes and CD 4 /CD 8 T cell ratios in lymphedema group were less than those in control group before treatment. They increased significantly and restored to nearly normal level after microwave treatment. The percentage of CD 8 and HLA-DR T lymphocytes in lymphedema group also demonstrated significant decline after treat- ment. Conclusion Disorder of T lymphocyte subsets existed in patients with chronic lymphedema of extremities, and microwave treatment can improve the states and enhance the cellular immunity of the patients.