Participation of superoxide in luminol-dependent chemiluminescence triggered by mineral dust in rabbit alveolar macrophages.

Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) triggered by mineral dust in rabbit alveolar macrophages depended on superoxide production as revealed by inhibition by superoxide dismutase and ferricytochrome c. The contribution of superoxide changed in the course of CL peak between 80-20%. The effects of ferricytochrome c were concentration-dependent: both stimulation and inhibition were observed. Ferricytochrome c and desferal also inhibited CL pathway which was not superoxide-dependent.