In vivo activation of murine peritoneal macrophages by intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin.

A single intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (10 mg/kg body weight) in C3H/He mice increases the total number of peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) and macrophages (m phi) within 24 to 48 h. The total number of PEC from untreated mice ranged from 4 to 5 x 10(6) cells/ml containing 2.5 to 3 x 10(6) macrophages, whereas in cisplatin treated mice total number of PEC ranged up to 25 x 10(6) cells/ml. These PEC contained up to 16 x 10(6) m phi. The macrophages obtained from cisplatin injected mice show enhanced cytotoxicity, cytostasis and binding to Dalton's lymphoma cells in vitro. These activated macrophages release into the culture medium factors having cytolytic and cytostatic effect on Dalton's lymphoma cells. The activated macrophages also show enhanced capacity to release superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide, lysozyme, arginase and interleukin-1.