Comparative effects of inhibitors of the lipoxygenase enzyme system on leucocyte chemotaxis.

The chemotactic response, towards zymosan activated serum (ZAS), of elicited peritoneal exudate leucocytes was assessed in-vitro after treatment with inhibitors of the lipoxygenase enzyme pathway. Leucocytes from both rat and guinea-pig were used. BW755C and benoxaprofen reduced the chemotaxis of mononuclear cells from both species at 10(-4) M. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) at 7.5 X 10(-6) M depressed the chemotaxis of rat mononuclear cells but failed to modify the response of guinea-pig mononuclear cells. NDGA, BW755C and benoxaprofen, at concentrations that inhibit the lipoxygenase enzyme pathway in-vitro, were ineffective in reducing the chemotactic response of rat PMN. All three agents potentiated guinea-pig PMN chemotaxis, to a greater or lesser extent, the most pronounced effect being with NDGA when increased PMN migration was accompanied by an increased detachment of cells from the lower surface of the filters. The effects of these agents on both cellular chemotaxis and adherence are not necessarily related to their inhibitory effects on the lipoxygenase enzyme pathway.