Effect of fluorocarbon blood substitute on neutrophil phagocytic function.

Neutrophils were incubated at 37 degrees C for 2 h with fluorocarbon blood substitute or its main components in vitro. Neutrophil phagocytosis was determined by the method of chemiluminescence (CL) and the concentration of intracellular cAMP and cGMP were assessed. The results showed that the CL was inhibited while the level of cAMP was elevated. The alteration of cAMP seemed to be correlated with the inhibition of CL. Only did the emulsifier Poloxamer F-68 (F-68) of fluorocarbon blood substitute have the same effects. It is suggested that fluorocarbon blood substitute can inhibit neutrophil phagocytic function and the emulsifier F-68 may be responsible for it. The mechanism may be associated with the elevation of intracellular cAMP concentration.