Effect of Human Monocyte Pyrogen on Plasma Iron, Plasma Zinc, and Blood Neutrophils in Rabbits and Rats

Abstract

Stimulated [Staphylococcus aureus] human monocytes produced 2 physically distinct pyrogens. Both of these partially purified pyrogens lowered plasma Fe and Zn and increased blood neutrophils when injected into rats or rabbits. When equivalent pyrogenic doses were injected, the 2 pyrogens gave quantitatively similar leukocytic endogenous mediator activities (i.e., granulocytosis and lowering of plasma Fe and Zn). Leukocytic endogenous mediator may be produced by monocytes and by granulocytes.