title: Inhibiting effect of levamisole on superoxide production from rat mast cells.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to test whether levamisole acts as a superoxide scavenger. The drug was incubated at four different concentrations (range 1, 5, 10, 20 micrograms/ml) with purified rat mast cells which were then induced to generate superoxide ions, by challenge with compound 48/80 (1 microgram/ml). Ten minutes preincubation with the drug completely abolished superoxide ions production. Addition of levamisole to the cell suspension simultaneously with the releaser caused full inhibition of O2(-) generation at the lowest dose, while higher doses failed to suppress 48/80 induced O2(-) generation. In a cell-free superoxide-generating system, like xanthine-xanthine oxidase, levamisole did not act as a superoxide scavenger at any of the doses tested.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006636:Histamine Release / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007978:Levamisole / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D013481:Superoxides; D007978:Levamisole; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine