Stimulation of neutrophil chemotaxis, adhesiveness, phagocytosis, and hexose monophosphate shunt activity by N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)glycine.

The effects of the sulfydryl donor drug N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (MPG) on neutrophil chemotaxis, adhesiveness, phagocytosis, and hexose monophosphate shunt activity were investigated in vitro. The drug significantly enhanced all the neutrophil functions tested when used at appropriate concentrations. The results, which are in accord with the well known inhibition of neutrophil function by sulfydryl-blocking agents, suggest the possible therapeutic usefulness of the drug in clinical conditions with defective neutrophil function.