Co-oxidation of luminol by hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide implications for neutrophil chemiluminescence

Stimulated neutrophils produce several potent oxidants including H2O2, O2- and HOCl. Previous studies have revealed all of these compounds to be capable of oxidizing luminol, a reagent often used to indicate, by its chemiluminescence, the oxidative burst of neutrophils. Data presented in this paper indicate that H2O2 and HOCl spontaneously react at physiologic pH to produce luminol-dependent chemiluminescence 100 times the sum of the chemiluminescence of either reagent alone. This enhancement is due to a co-oxidation by HOCl and H2O2, or to a novel oxidant generated by the interaction of HOCl and H2O2. The HOCl scavenger, taurine, inhibits the chemiluminescence. Evidence is presented against the participation of hydroxyl radical, O2- or singlet oxygen in the oxidation of luminol by HOCl and H2O2. These findings have implications for potential anti-inflammatory compounds.     

Relationship between oxidative burst activity and CD11b expression in neutrophils and monocytes from healthy individuals: effects of race and gender

Oxidative burst activity and the expression of adhesion molecules have been used as indicators of leukocyte activation status. The aim of the study was to delineate the relationship of oxidative burst activity and the expression of adhesion molecules in neutrophils and monocytes from a pool of healthy volunteers (n = 96). We also tested the potential role of gender and a racial background in the individual response differences. Basal and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated oxidative burst and CD11b expression were determined using dihydrorhodamine 123 and phycoerythrin (PE)-conjugated anti-CD11b monoclonal antibodies. PMA markedly increased CD11b expression and cellular oxidant content in neutrophils and monocytes in all samples. However, the responses showed considerable variability among individuals. A positive correlation was observed between the responsiveness of neutrophils and monocytes in their basal or PMA-stimulated CD11b expressions and PMA-stimulated oxidative burst activities. In contrast, no correlation was found between the level of adhesion molecule expression and cellular oxidant content in monocytes or neutrophils either under basal or under PMA-stimulated conditions. The reactivity of oxidative burst (i.e., PMA-stimulated over basal) was significantly lower in neutrophils from African American males compared with cells from African American females, white females, or white males. In contrast, reactivity of monocytes was significantly elevated in white males compared with all other groups. These findings indicate that leukocytes with a relatively high degree of adhesion molecule expression may display an average or decreased oxidative burst activity, and vice versa. Our findings also indicate that ethnic background may influence the oxidative burst activity in neutrophils and monocytes. This needs consideration in clinical studies utilizing healthy volunteers with mixed gender and ethnic backgrounds.     

Different effects of hypochlorous acid on human neutrophil metalloproteinases: activation of collagenase and inactivation of collagenase and gelatinase.

Human neutrophils stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) produce the reactive oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and release the matrix metalloproteinases collagenase and gelatinase from secretory granules. We have investigated the stoichiometry of activation and inactivation of the two metalloproteinases with HOCl. HOCl activated purified neutrophil procollagenase at ratios between 10 and 40 mol of HOCl/mol enzyme, but caused inactivation at higher ratios. Maximum activation was about the same as that achieved by p-aminophenyl-mercuric acetate. However, less than a third of the total collagenase released from PMA-stimulated neutrophils was activated by coreleased HOCl and most of the activity was destroyed after 1 h of stimulation. These results indicate that the HOCl/enzyme ratio must fall within a narrow range for activation to occur. In contrast to collagenase, purified progelatinase underwent negligible activation (2.5 +/- 1.2%) at HOCl/enzyme molar ratios less than 30 and was destroyed at higher ratios. Likewise no active gelatinase could be detected in supernatant from PMA-stimulated cells and almost all of the proenzyme was destroyed by HOCl after 60 min stimulation. Our results illustrate that only collagenase can be activated by HOCl in vitro and that gelatinase is much more sensitive to inactivation. Since a precise HOCl/enzyme ratio is required for collagenase activation it is doubtful whether effective enzyme regulation by HOCl could occur in vivo where various HOCl scavengers are present.     

Human neutrophils oxidize low-density lipoprotein by a hypochlorous acid-dependent mechanism: the role of vitamin C

Oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Peripheral blood leukocytes, such as neutrophils, can oxidize LDL by processes requiring superoxide and redox-active transition metal ions; however, it is uncertain whether such catalytic metal ions are available in the artery wall. Stimulated leukocytes also produce the reactive oxidant hypochlorous acid (HOCl) via the heme enzyme myeloperoxidase. Since myeloperoxidase-derived HOCl may be a physiologically relevant oxidant in atherogenesis, we investigated the mechanisms of neutrophil-mediated LDL modification and its possible prevention by the antioxidant ascorbate (vitamin C). As a sensitive marker of LDL oxidation, we measured LDL thiol groups. Stimulated human neutrophils (5x10(6) cells/ml) incubated with human LDL (0.25 mg protein/ml) time-dependently oxidized LDL thiols (33% and 79% oxidized after 10 and 30 min, respectively). Supernatants from stimulated neutrophils also oxidized LDL thiols (33% oxidized after 30 min), implicating long-lived oxidants such as N-chloramines. Experiments using specific enzyme inhibitors and oxidant scavengers showed that HOCl, but not hydrogen peroxide nor superoxide, plays a critical role in LDL thiol oxidation by neutrophils. Ascorbate (200 microM) protected against neutrophil-mediated LDL thiol oxidation for up to 15 min of incubation, after which LDL thiols became rapidly oxidized. Although stimulated neutrophils accumulated ascorbate during oxidation of LDL, pre-loading of neutrophils with ascorbate did not attenuate oxidant production by the cells. Thus, activated neutrophils oxidize LDL thiols by HOCl- and N-chloramine-dependent mechanisms and physiological concentrations of vitamin C delay this process, most likely due to scavenging of extracellular oxidants, rather than by attenuating neutrophil oxidant production.     

Evidence for a role of taurine in the in vitro oxidative toxicity of neutrophils toward erythrocytes

Production of hydrogen peroxide and secretion of myeloperoxidase by stimulated neutrophils resulted in myeloperoxidase-catalyzed oxidation of chloride to hypochlorous acid (HOCl), the reaction of HOCl with taurine to yield taurine monochloramine (TauNHCl), and accumulation of TauNHCl in the extracellular medium. When erythrocytes were present, the yield of TauNHCl was lower as the result of uptake of TauNHCl into erythrocytes. The zwitterion taurine was not taken up, but the anion TauNHCl and other anionic oxidants including taurine dichloramine (TauNCl2) and L-alanine chloramines were transported into erythrocytes by the anion-transport system. Oxidation of intracellular components such as glutathione (GSH) by taurine chloramines resulted in reduction of the chloramines and trapping of taurine within erythrocytes. At high oxidant:erythrocyte ratios, TauNHCl also oxidized hemoglobin (Hb) and depleted ATP, but caused little lysis. TauNCl2 was much more effective as a lytic agent. At low oxidant:erythrocyte ratios, the chloramines caused net loss of GSH when no glucose was provided, but Hb was not oxidized and GSH content returned to normal when glucose was added. Therefore, anionic chloramines may mediate oxidative toxicity when the neutrophil:erythrocyte ratio is high. Under more physiologic conditions, chlorination of taurine by neutrophils and the uptake and reduction of TauNHCl by erythrocytes prevents accumulation of oxidants and may protect blood cells, plasma components, and tissues against oxidative toxicity.     

Protein chlorination in neutrophil phagosomes and correlation with bacterial killing

Neutrophils ingest and kill bacteria within phagocytic vacuoles. We investigated where they produce hypochlorous acid (HOCl) following phagocytosis by measuring conversion of protein tyrosine residues to 3-chlorotyrosine. We also examined how varying chloride availability affects the relationship between HOCl formation in the phagosome and bacterial killing. Phagosomal proteins, isolated following ingestion of opsonized magnetic beads, contained 11.4 Cl-Tyr per thousand tyrosine residues. This was 12 times higher than the level in proteins from the rest of the neutrophil and ~6 times higher than previously recorded for protein from ingested bacteria. These results indicate that HOCl production is largely localized to the phagosomes and a substantial proportion reacts with phagosomal protein before reaching the microbe. This will in part detoxify the oxidant but should also form chloramines which could contribute to the killing mechanism. Neutrophils were either suspended in chloride-free gluconate buffer or pretreated with formyl-Met-Leu-Phe, a procedure that has been reported to deplete intracellular chloride. These treatments, alone or in combination, decreased both chlorination in phagosomes and killing of Staphylococcus aureus by up to 50%. There was a strong positive correlation between the two effects. Killing was predominantly oxidant and myeloperoxidase dependent (88% inhibition by diphenylene iodonium and 78% by azide). These results imply that lowering the chloride concentration limits HOCl production and oxidative killing. They support a role for HOCl generation, rather than an alternative myeloperoxidase activity, in the killing process.     

The Influence of Superoxide on the Production of Hypochlorous Acid by Human Neutrophils

Human neutrophils stimulated with opsonized zyrnosan promoted hypochlorous acid (HOCl)-dependent loss of monochlorodimedon. Formation of HOCl was completely inhibited by catalase, and it was also inhibited up to 70% by SOD. There was no inhibition by desferal, DTPA, mannitol or dimethylsulphoxide. which excluded the involvement of -OH. Our results indicate that generation of O₂-by neutrophils enables these cells to enhance their production of HOCl. Furthermore, inhibition of neutrophil processes by SOD and catalase does not necessarily implicate -OH. We propose that O₂-may potentiate oxidant damage at inflammatory sites by boosting the rnyeloperoxidase-dependent production of HOCl     

Synergistic roles of Helicobacter pylori methionine sulfoxide reductase and GroEL in repairing oxidant-damaged catalase

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) produced via the enzyme myeloperoxidase is a major antibacterial oxidant produced by neutrophils, and Met residues are considered primary amino acid targets of HOCl damage via conversion to Met sulfoxide. Met sulfoxide can be repaired back to Met by methionine sulfoxide reductase (Msr). Catalase is an important antioxidant enzyme; we show it constitutes 4-5% of the total Helicobacter pylori protein levels. msr and katA strains were about 14- and 4-fold, respectively, more susceptible than the parent to killing by the neutrophil cell line HL-60 cells. Catalase activity of an msr strain was much more reduced by HOCl exposure than for the parental strain. Treatment of pure catalase with HOCl caused oxidation of specific MS-identified Met residues, as well as structural changes and activity loss depending on the oxidant dose. Treatment of catalase with HOCl at a level to limit structural perturbation (at a catalase/HOCl molar ratio of 1:60) resulted in oxidation of six identified Met residues. Msr repaired these residues in an in vitro reconstituted system, but no enzyme activity could be recovered. However, addition of GroEL to the Msr repair mixture significantly enhanced catalase activity recovery. Neutrophils produce large amounts of HOCl at inflammation sites, and bacterial catalase may be a prime target of the host inflammatory response; at high concentrations of HOCl (1:100), we observed loss of catalase secondary structure, oligomerization, and carbonylation. The same HOCl-sensitive Met residue oxidation targets in catalase were detected using chloramine-T as a milder oxidant.     

Genetic control of neutrophil superoxide production in diabetes-resistant ALR/Lt mice

The neutrophil oxidative burst reaction differentiates ALR/Lt mice, known for an unusual systemic elevation of antioxidant defenses, from ALS/Lt mice, a related strain known for reduced ability to withstand oxidative stress. Neutrophils from marrow of ALS mice produced a normal neutrophil oxidative burst following phorbol ester stimulation. In contrast, ALR mice exhibited a markedly suppressed superoxide burst. F1 progeny from reciprocal outcrosses between ALR and ALS mice exhibited an intermediate burst level, higher than ALR but significantly lower than ALS. To elucidate the genetic basis for this strain difference, F1 mice were backcrossed to ALS mice, and marrow neutrophils isolated from the progeny were phenotyped for oxidative burst capacity. A genome-wide sweep using polymorphic markers distinguishing the two parental strains was performed to map the trait. A 1:1 phenotypic distribution was observed, and a locus (Suppressor of superoxide production, Susp) controlling this phenotype was mapped to Chromosome 3 near D3Mit241 at 33.1 cM. This locus probably represents an important regulatory element in the overall ALR strain resistance to oxidative stress, since diminished ability to mount a neutrophil burst in backcross segregants correlated with elevated hepatic superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) activity, an ALR strain characteristic.     

Oxidative burst and anticancer activities of rat neutrophils

It is assumed that oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) from activated neutrophil granulocytes may contribute to pathology of tumors. ROS are crucial in neutrophil-mediated tumor cell lysis. The present study is focused on the oxidative burst and antitumorous activities of neutrophils when challenged with Walker carcinoma W256. Survival and tumor growth dynamics were monitored in vivo, while tumor cell proliferation when mixed with neutrophils was studied in vitro together with the generation/release of neutrophil respiratory burst products, primarily 1O2. Neutrophils were collected upon Sephadex injection. The survival of Sephadex injected animals was slightly improved, while their tumors grew less than in controls. The presence of tumor cells in vitro activated neutrophils to produce singlet oxygen similar to phorbol ester. Neutrophils from Sephadex-bearing animals diminished tumor cell proliferation in vitro (measured by 3H-TdR incorporation), while neutrophils from Sephadex and the tumor-bearing animals did not show such activity in vitro. Our results confirm that in the case of rapidly growing tumors such as murine W256 carcinoma neutrophils have antitumorous effects in the early phase of tumor development.     

The effect of oxidant stress on diamide-treated human granulocytes

The role of sulfhydryls in the protection of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils against extracellular oxidant attack was investigated by simultaneously exposing polymorphonuclear neutrophils to the thiol-oxidizing agent diamide and the oxidant-generating system xanthine-xanthine oxidase. Neither diamide nor the oxidants generated by the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system alone impaired the burst in chemiluminescence, hexose monophosphate shunt activity or formate oxidation normally seen during polymorphonuclear neutrophil phagocytosis. Incubation of the polymorphonuclear neutrophils simultaneously with diamide and xanthine-xanthine oxidase markedly impaired polymorphonuclear neutrophil phagocytosis, hexose monophosphate shunt activity, chemiluminescence and formate oxidation. Although the polymorphonuclear neutrophils exposed to diamide and xanthine-xanthine oxidase did not respond to a variety of phagocytizable stimuli, trypan blue exclusion was normal and hexose monophosphate shunt activity could be stimulated by diamide. The damaging effect of the diamide xanthine-xanthine oxidase system could be blocked by the addition of superoxide dismutase or catalase, but not by hydroxyl radical or singlet oxygen scavengers. We hypothesize that an unidentified population of thiols may play a role in protecting the polymorphonuclear neutrophil from endogenously derived oxidants.     

The Oxidative Inactivation of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) by Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) is Suppressed by Anti-Rheumatic Drugs

Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) prevent uncontrolled connective tissue destruction by limiting the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). That TIMPs should be susceptible to oxidative inactivation is suggested by their complex tertiary structure which is dependent upon 6 disulphide bonds. We examined the oxidative inactivation of human recombinant TIMP-1 (hr TIMP-1) by HOCl and the inhibition of this process by anti-rheumatic agents.

TIMP-1 was exposed to HOCl in the presence of a variety of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. TIMP-1 activity was measured by its ability to inhibit BC1 collagenase activity as measured by a fluorimetric assay using the synthetic pEptide substrate (DNP-Pro-Leu-Ala-Leu-Trp-Ala-Arg), best cleaved by MMP-1.

The neutrophil derived oxidant HOCl, but not the derived oxidant N-chlorotaurine, can inactivate TIMP-1 at concentrations achieved at sites of inflammation. Anti-rheumatic drugs have the ability to protect hrTIMP-1 from inactivation by HOCl. For D-penicil-lamine, this effect occurs at plasma levels achieved with patients taking the drug but for other anti-rheumatic drugs tested this occurs at relatively high concentrations that are unlikely to be achieved in vivo, except possibly in a microenvironment. These results are in keeping with the concept that biologically derived oxidants can potentiate tissue damage by inactivating key but susceptible protein inhibitors such as TIMP-1 which form the major local defence against MMP induced tissue breakdown.     

Phagocytosis, Oxidative Burst, and Produced Reactive Species are Affected by Iron Deficiency Anemia and Anemia of Chronic Diseases in Elderly

Iron and oxidative stress have a regulatory interplay. During the oxidative burst, phagocytic cells produce free radicals such as hypochlorous acid (HOCl). Nevertheless, scarce studies evaluated the effect of either iron deficiency anemia (IDA) or anemia of chronic disease (ACD) on phagocyte function in the elderly. The aim of the present study was to determine the oxidative burst, phagocytosis, and nitric oxide (^?NO) and HOCl, reactive species produced by monocytes and neutrophils in elderly with ACD or IDA. Soluble transferrin receptor, serum ferritin, and soluble transferrin receptor/log ferritin (TfR-F) index determined the iron status. The study was constituted of 39 patients aged over 60 (28 women and 11 men) recruited from the Brazilian Public Health System. Oxidative burst fluorescence intensity per neutrophil in IDA group and HOCl generation in both ACD and IDA groups were found to be lower (p?<?0.05). The percentages of neutrophils and monocytes expressing phagocytosis in ACD group were found to be higher (p?<?0.05). There was an overproduction of ^?NO from monocytes, whereas the fundamental generation of HOCl appeared to be lower. Phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and ^?NO and HOCl production are involved in iron metabolism regulation in elderly patients with ACD and IDA.     

Protein kinase C-dependent and -independent activation of the NADPH oxidase of human neutrophils

The protein kinase C inhibitor, staurosporine, inhibited NADPH oxidase activity of human neutrophils activated by phorbol myristate acetate. However, this inhibitor had no effect on either the initiation or the maximal rate of O2- secretion activated by the chemotactic peptide, fMet-Leu-Phe, but resulted in a more rapid termination of oxidant production. Similarly, staurosporine had no effect on the rapid (1 min) increase in luminol-dependent chemiluminescence activated by fMet-Leu-Phe, but the second (intracellular) phase of oxidant production was inhibited. The initial burst of oxidant production during phagocytosis was similarly protein kinase C-independent, but again the later phases of oxidase activity were staurosporine-sensitive. Neutrophils loaded with Quin-2 at concentrations sufficient to act as a Ca2+ buffer could not secrete O2- in response to fMet-Leu-Phe; although the initial (protein kinase C-independent) burst of luminol chemiluminescence was not observed in fMet-Leu-Phe-stimulated Ca2(+)-buffered cells, the second phase of (protein kinase C-dependent) oxidant production was largely unaffected. Hence, the initial burst of oxidant production activated by fMet-Leu-Phe, opsonized zymosan, and latex beads is independent of the activity of protein kinase C-dependent intracellular activation processes, but the activity of this kinase is required to extend or sustain the duration of oxidant production.     

The effect of oxidant stress on diamide-treated human granulocytes.

The role of sulfhydryls in the protection of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils against extracellular oxidant attack was investigated by simultaneously exposing polymorphonuclear neutrophils to the thiol-oxidizing agent diamide and the oxidant-generating system xanthine-xanthine oxidase. Neither diamide nor the oxidants generated by the xanthine-xanthine oxidase system alone impaired the burst in chemiluminescence, hexose monophosphate shunt activity or formate oxidation normally seen during polymorphonuclear neutrophil phagocytosis. Incubation of the polymorphonuclear neutrophils simultaneously with diamide and xanthine-xanthine oxidase markedly impaired polymorphonuclear neutrophil phagocytosis, hexose monophosphate shunt activity, chemiluminescence and formate oxidation. Although the polymorphonuclear neutrophils exposed to diamide and xanthine-xanthine oxidase did not respond to a variety of phagocytizable stimuli, trypan blue exclusion was normal and hexose monophosphate shunt activity could be stimulated by diamide. The damaging effect of the diamide xanthine-xamthine oxidase system could be blocked by the addition of superoxide dismutase or catalase, but not by hydroxyl radical or singlet oxygen scavengers. We hypothesize that an unidentified population of thiols may play a role in protecting the polymorphonuclear neutrophil from endogenously derived oxidants.     

Human serum albumin modified under oxidative/halogenative stress enhances luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of human neutrophils

It is shown that human serum albumin, previously treated with HOCl (HSA-Cl), enhances luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of neutrophils activated by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that addition of HSA-Cl to neutrophils promotes exocytosis of myeloperoxidase. Inhibitor of myeloperoxidase — 4-aminobenzoic acid hydrazide, without any effect on lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence of neutrophils stimulated with PMA, effectively suppressed luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (IC₅₀ = 20 μM) under the same conditions. The transfer of the cells from medium with HSA-Cl and myeloperoxidase to fresh medium abolished an increase in PMA-induced luminol-dependent chemiluminescence, but not the ability of neutrophils to respond to re-addition of HSA-Cl. A direct and significant (r = 0.75, p < 0.01) correlation was observed between the intensity of PMA stimulated neutrophil chemiluminescence response and myeloperoxidase activity in the cell-free media after chemiluminescence measurements. These results suggest the involvement of myeloperoxidase in the increase of neutrophil PMA-stimulated chemiluminescence response in the presence of HSA-Cl. A significant positive correlation was found between myeloperoxidase activity in blood plasma of children with severe burns and the enhancing effects of albumin fraction of the same plasma on luminol-dependent chemiluminescence of PMA-stimulated donor neutrophils. These results support a hypothesis that proteins modified in reactions involving myeloperoxidase under oxidative/halogenative stress, stimulate neutrophils, leading to exocytosis of myeloperoxidase, a key element of halogenative stress, and to closing a “vicious circle” of neutrophil activation at the inflammatory site.     

Stimulation of reactive oxidant production in neutrophils by soluble and insoluble immune complexes occurs via different receptors/signal transduction systems

Abstract Cell-free synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis contains soluble and insoluble IgG-containing immune complexes which activate reactive oxidant production in human neutrophils. In this report we have measured the effects of inhibitors of signal transduction pathways on neutrophil activation by these complexes and also following activation by synthetic soluble and insoluble immune complexes made from human serum albumin (HSA) and anti-(HSA) antibodies. In all aspects studied, the soluble rheumatoid complexes and the soluble synthetic complexes were indistinguishable in the ways in which they activated neutrophils. Activation of reactive oxidant production in response to these soluble complexes was completely inhibited by pertussis toxin (indicating G-protein coupling of receptor occupancy), completely insensitive to staurosporine (indicating that oxidant production did not require protein kinase C activity), only marginally (<30%) inhibited by butanol (indicating that dependence upon activity of phospholipase D was minimal), and completely inhibited by chloracysine, an inhibitor of phospholipase A₂. In contrast, activation of reactive oxidant production in response to the insoluble rheumatoid or insoluble synthetic immune complexes was largely pertussis toxin insensitive, inhibited by >50% by staurosporine, inhibited by >50% by butanol, and completely inhibited by chloracysine. These results show that the receptor-mediated signal transduction systems activated by the soluble and insoluble immune complexes are different. Because the soluble complexes activate a transient burst of reactive oxidant secretion from primed neutrophils, the mechanisms regulating either the release or the intracellular production of oxidants within rheumatoid joints are distinct and hence may be pharmacologically modified independently of each other.     

Cytoprotective response of A1, a Bcl-2 homologue expressed in mature human neutrophils and promyelocytic HL-60 cells, to oxidant stress-induced cell death

The ability to generate reactive oxidative intermediates is one of the quintessential properties of mature human neutrophils. Endogenously generated oxidants have been shown to be an important mechanism underlying neutrophil cell death. In acute lung inflammation, newly recruited neutrophils further encounter external oxidants, including reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates. In our present study, we showed that A1, a constitutive and inducible Bcl-2 homologue expressed in mature circulating human neutrophils, might confer the protection from hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)- and peroxynitrite (ONOO)-induced cell death. Utilizing the myeloid precursor cell line, HL-60, we further examined the hypothesis that A1 was capable of conferring cytoprotective activity against these oxidative stresses. Whereas the control-transfected HL-60 cells expressed small amounts of A1 and were sensitive to the biologically relevant, cell death-inducing oxidants, H₂O₂ and ONOO, the stable transfectants that overexpressed A1 were significantly more tolerant. Furthermore, there was a correlation between the level of A1 expression and the anti-apoptotic activity. Thus, our results suggest a cytoprotective role of A1 in mature human neutrophils under oxidant stresses in host defense and inflammation.     

Inhibition of human neutrophil oxidative burst by pyrazolone derivatives

The risk of agranulocytosis associated with the use of pyrazolone drugs at therapeutical doses and for short periods of time has been considered to be very low. However, little or no attention at all has been devoted to the possible hindrance of neutrophil burst and scavenging of neutrophil-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) by these compounds. Such an effect could be beneficial in the case of overactivation of neutrophils but could also be highly detrimental if the number of circulating neutrophils is already decreased. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the putative inhibitory effect of the pyrazolones dipyrone, aminopyrine, isopropylantipyrine, and antipyrine against human neutrophil burst and their scavenging activity against O2.-, H2O2, HO., ROO., and HOCl. The obtained results showed that dipyrone and aminopyrine prevent phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-induced neutrophil burst with high efficiency, while isopropylantipyrine had little effect and antipyrine had no effect at all. Dipyrone and aminopyrine were highly potent scavengers of HO. and HOCl, while, in accordance with the neutrophil burst results, isopropylantipyrine had little effect and antipyrine had no effect at all against these two ROS. None of the studied pyrazolones was capable of scavenging O2.- or H2O2, while dipyrone was shown to be the most reactive against ROO..