Benzodiazepines inhibit neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide production in a stimulus dependent manner; PK-11195 antagonizes these effects.

Diazepam, which binds both central (neuronal) and peripheral (non-neuronal) benzodiazepine binding sites, and Ro5-4864, a ligand selective for benzodiazepine peripheral binding sites (PBS), both inhibited the FMLP induced chemotaxis in human neutrophils at concentrations as low as 10(-8) M. A selective peripheral benzodiazepine antagonist, PK-11195 (10(-5) M), partially reversed the benzodiazepine inhibition of chemotaxis. Diazepam also inhibited the superoxide production induced by FMLP, NaF, and A23187, but not that induced by PMA whose stimulant action was insensitive even to 10(-4) M diazepam.

Killing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by neutrophils: a nonoxidative process.

To determine the role of oxygen radicals in the killing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by neutrophils, the effects of free-radical inhibitors and enzymes, catalase, superoxide dismutase, taurine, deferoxamine, and histidine were evaluated. Changes in the viability of M. tuberculosis were determined by agar plate colony counts and a radiometric assay.

The effects of arachidonic and other fatty acids on canine neutrophil metabolism.

The effect of arachidonic acid on the metabolic activity and chemiluminescence of canine neutrophils was investigated to gain further insight into its role in the neutrophil metabolic burst. Arachidonic acid was found to stimulate metabolic activity and luminol-augmented chemiluminescence. The increased metabolic activity was detected by both oxygen uptake measurements and assays of hexose monophosphate shunt activity.

Chemiluminescence of human and canine polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the absence of phagocytosis.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) have increased oxidative metabolism during phagocytosis and emit light (chemiluminescence, CL) as a result of metabolic activation. The present study examined PMN CL in the absence of phagocytosis using sodium fluoride (NaF), a nonparticulate agent and known stimulator of cellular oxidative metabolism. Normal human and canine PMNs were assayed in a CL spectrometer which permitted continuous sample mixing and constant temperature regulation during CL measurement.