title: Superoxide generation in leukocytes and vitamin E.
abstract: Superoxide generation in polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) can be detected through determination of chemiluminescence by stimulation with opsonized zymosan in association with the Cypridina luciferin analogue, 2 methyl-6-phenyl-3,7-dihydroimidazol[1,2-a]pyradin-3-one. Following the addition of vitamin E to cell suspensions, chemiluminescence was suppressed by a vitamin E concentration of more than 80 micrograms/10(9) cells. Superoxide production in PMNs was suppressed by both very low and very high levels of vitamin E (less than 2 micrograms/10(9) cells and more than 50 micrograms/10(9) cells, respectively). The high level of more than 50 micrograms/10(9) cells, which may be a dangerous level, was attained only by the intramuscular administration of 50 mg/kg/day for three days in rats. Young human adults (who received 600 mg/day for 3 months) or premature infants (who received 40 mg/kg/day for 8-14 days) developed PMN vitamin E concentrations not exceeding 30 micrograms/10(9) cells, and chemiluminescence was not affected. This indicates that oral administration of vitamin E does not impair PMN function, even in preterm infants. On the other hand, there was no enhancement of PMN function in premature infants and adults after vitamin E supplementation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okano
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamai
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mino
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013481:Superoxides / Q000097:blood*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D013481:Superoxides; D014810:Vitamin E