Neutrophil-activating peptide-1/interleukin-8 detection in human urine during acute bladder inflammation caused by transurethral resection of superficial cancer and bacillus Calmette-Guérin administration.

Neutrophil-activating peptide-1/interleukin-8 (NAP-1/IL-8), secreted by monocytes, macrophages and a number of other cells, acts as a chemoattractant for neutrophil leukocytes and stimulates them to produce a series of responses such as shape change, adherence, exocytosis and respiratory burst, events that are of importance in inflammation. To study the release of NAP-1/IL-8, two human models of inflammation were chosen: transurethral resection of superficial bladder cancer and the subsequent instillation of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), performed in order to reduce the recurrence rate of papillary bladder tumors. As the secretions of the bladder wall are retained in the urine, patients' urine was collected during 4-hour periods. These urine samples were chromatographed on phosphocellulose. In the elution fractions NAP-1/IL-8 was quantified by a bioassay that measured the elastase release by human neutrophils. The neutrophil-stimulating activity was further purified by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. Although no NAP-1/IL-8 activity could be detected in normal individuals, formation of this inflammatory cytokine was observed in patients after transurethral resection and after BCG treatment. The significance and possible use of this secretion are discussed.