Effect of vitamin E on FMLP-induced activation of rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Granulocytes of vitamin E-treated rabbits were compared to granulocytes from placebo-treated rabbits. Granulocytes were isolated from rabbit peripheral blood by a new method employing Percoll and gelatin sedimentation. Vitamin E-treated cells showed less adherence to rabbit aortic endothelium when stimulated with FMLP. FMLP receptor numbers and affinity were not significantly different. Resting cell surface and baseline transmembrane potential were similar in both cell types. Decrease in cell surface potential with FMLP was comparable in vitamin E- and placebo-treated cells. Vitamin E-treated PMN depolarized more and hyperpolarized more rapidly than placebo cells. Thus vitamin E-treated PMNs show differences in the early events of PMN activation. These may contribute to the lower stimulated adherence observed with vitamin E-treated cells.