The cholestatic agent, alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate, stimulates superoxide release by rat neutrophils in vitro.

Studies in rats indicate that neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs] are associated with areas of tissue damage after treatment with the hepatotoxicant, alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT). Several synthetic and naturally occurring substances stimulate PMNs to release cytotoxic mediators, such as superoxide (O2-). The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that ANIT stimulates the release of O2- from isolated rat PMNs. PMNs derived from rat peritoneum were treated with ANIT in vitro and tested for release of O2-. ANIT caused the release of O2- from PMNs in a concentration-dependent manner. Maximal O2- release (10 +/- 1 nmoles/30 minutes/2 x 10(6) cells) was achieved by an ANIT concentration of 110 microM. This ANIT-induced O2- release was significantly reduced or blocked completely by preincubation of PMNs for 10 minutes with 10 microM or 100 microM SKF 525A, respectively. The beta-isomer of ANIT, which does not cause cholestasis in vivo, did not stimulate O2- release. ANIT-stimulated O2- production decreased sharply after 5 minutes of incubation with ANIT and ceased entirely between 10 to 15 minutes. Shortly after this decrease in O2- production was an increase in the extracellular activity of lactate dehydrogenase. PMNs exposed to ANIT also failed to exclude trypan blue dye, either in the presence or in the absence of superoxide dismutase and catalase, suggesting a direct, oxygen radical-independent, cytotoxic effect of ANIT on PMNs. Release of the lysosomal enzyme, beta-glucuronidase, occurred within 5 minutes of incubation of isolated PMNs with ANIT (110 microM). These results indicate that exposure of rat PMNs to the hepatotoxicant, ANIT, causes the release of cytotoxic agents, whereas its less hepatotoxic beta-isomer does not.