title: Increased superoxide radicals generation from alveolar macrophages in immature guinea-pigs.
abstract: To study the effect of maturation on abilities of superoxide radicals (O-2) generation in the airways, we compared stimuli-induced O-2 generation by alveolar macrophages in immature (aged 10+/-2 days) and adult (aged 90+/-2 days) guinea-pigs. The production of O-2 was assayed by chemiluminescence method, using a Cypridina luciferin analog as a highly sensitive and specific probe for O-2. Whereas no significant difference in cell components of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was observed between immature and adult animals, O-2 generation induced by stimulation of alveolar macrophages was greater in immature than in adult animals, with significant differences observed after platelet-activating factor (100 nM) or phorbol myristate acetate (0.5 micro g/ml). The results suggest that alveolar macrophages from immature animals are far more potent O-2 generators than the same cells of adult animals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatriacs, Gunma University School of Medicine, Maebashi, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Kenichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tokuyama
authors.forename: Hisanori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Minakami
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nagai
authors.forename: Kunihisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kozawa
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morikawa
authors.forename: Hirokazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kimura
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D013481:Superoxides