Stimulation of phagocytic activity of leukocytes and macrophages by traxanox sodium in mice and rats.

Phagocytosis of yeast particles by mouse peritoneal macrophages or rat peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes was enhanced by traxanox sodium in vitro. Traxanox sodium (30 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) enhanced phagocytosis of yeast particles by leukocytes and macrophages in vivo or ex vivo. On the other hand, prednisolone, isoproterenol and theophylline inhibited phagocytosis by leukocytes and macrophages under the same conditions. Traxanox sodium (30 mg/kg, p.o.) prevented the suppression of phagocytosis by the above drugs. Combined with theophylline, isoproterenol synergistically inhibited phagocytosis by leukocytes in vivo. Traxanox sodium (100 mg/kg, p.o.) administered alone had no influence on carbon clearance in normal mice. However, traxanox sodium (1-30 mg/kg, p.o.) prevented the suppression of carbon clearance by the treatment with carrageenan, but not by the treatment with ethyl palmitate. These results suggest that traxanox sodium stimulates the phagocytic activity of leukocytes or macrophages and prevents the drug-induced suppression of the phagocytic activity of these cells.