Effect of gold compounds on phorbol myristic acetate (PMA) activated superoxide (O2-) production by mouse peritoneal macrophages.

A number of gold compounds, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) and protease inhibitors have been examined for their ability to inhibit the respiratory burst of peritoneal macrophages. A potent (IC50 = 5 microM or less) dose dependent inhibitory activity was seen with a number of triethylphosphine gold I ( TEPG ) compounds. Nonphosphine gold compounds were less active. The ligands of TEPG were inactive. Several NSAID stimulated the respiratory burst, whereas 2 protease inhibitors tested were inhibitory. The structure activity relationship of TEPG is also presented.