Inhibition of in vitro lysozyme release from human granulocytes and monocytes by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.

A selective zymosan-induced release of lysozyme from freshly prepared human blood granulocytes and monocytes was inhibited by indomethacin, sulindac, piroxicam and ibuprofen. This effect was slightly more marked for granulocytes than for monocytes. Salicylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid and naproxen, even at high concentrations, did not inhibit the enzyme release from either cell type. Since all these nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents are cyclooxygenase inhibitors, these findings suggest that lysozyme release is independent of prostaglandin biosynthesis.