THE INFLUENCE OF HARVESTING INTERVALS ON CHEMILUMINESCENCE AND ENZYME ACTIVITIES OF RAT PERITONEAL LEUKOCYTES

Abstract

Rat leukocytes were obtained from the peritoneal cavity by stimulation with potassium caseinate. This chemiluminescence response of the polymorphonuclear leukocytes exposed to opsonized zymosan was influenced by the interval between instillation of caseinate and harvesting of the cells. With intervals increasing from 4 to 72 h, the maximum activity was reached after 24 h. The myeloperoxidase activity of all the leukocytes together increased gradually up to 72 h after instillation of caseinate. After exposure to zymosan particles, only a negligible fraction of this enzyme was released from the cells. The lysozyme activity was highest in cells harvested early, and a large fraction of this enzyme was also released from these cells. The findings emphasize the importance of standardized conditions for stimulation and harvesting of rat peritoneal leukocytes.