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Introduction. The aim of the study was the assessment of the ability of neutrophils to superoxideanion(O2-) generation and nitric oxide (NO) concentration in selected age-related diseases. Materials and methods. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM; n=22) and with essential hypertension (AH; n=23) and healthy volunteers: young (CY; n=23) and elderly (CE; n=22) were included in the study. Results. There was no significant difference in O2- generation in group CY before and after stimulation compared to CE group. In comparison with CE group, O2- without stimulation was higher both in DM group and in AH group, whereas after stimulation was significantly lower both in diabetes and in hypertension. Significantly lowerO2- generation after stimulation in DM group compared to AH group was observed.The level of nitrate/nitrite was statistically higher in CY group compared to CE group. In AH group this parameter was similar compared to CE group. The nitrate/nitrite concentration in DM group was statistically lower in comparison both to CE group and AH group. Conclusions. These results indicate that ageing and age-related diseases are connected with a general oxidativestress augmentation, and that may be an essential pathogenic factor in the development of these diseases and their chronic complications. Reduced ability of neutrophils to immune response by the impairment of respiratory burst was observed in the both groups of patients. (Clin. Exp. Med. Lett. 2006; 47(2):95-99)

Keywords: Ageing, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, essential hypertension, superoxide anion, Nitric Oxide