[Effect of phorbolmyristate acetate and bacterial lipopolysaccharides on the luminal chemiluminescence of neutrophil granulocytes].

Measurement of emitted photons by means of luminol dependent chemiluminescence enables to evaluate the oxidative metabolism of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). The effect of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on the luminol dependent chemiluminescence of resting and phagocytosing PMN has been investigated. Both substances stimulate the emission of photones in resting PMN. In contrary an inhibitory effect on the emission of photones is found in dependence on the concentration and duration of influence on phagocytosing PMN. This phenomenon of inhibition is caused by an accelerated and shortly lasting reaction if PMA is added and by a delayed but prolonged reaction if LPS is added. The shape of emission curve of phagocytosing PMN from healthy adults influenced by LPS correspond closely to that of premature and mature newborns suffering from severe bacterial infections.