DUAL EFFECT OF AMMONIUM PERSULFATE ON THE GENERATION OF LEUKOTRIENES FROM HUMAN NEUTROPHIL GRANULOCYTES

Occupationally induced hypersensitive reactions towards chemical compo unds are increasingly observed. In this regard ammonium persulfate (AP S) is reported as an inducer of erythema, urticaria, eczema, rhinitis and bronchial asthma. On the basis of these reactions, persulfates obv iously show some characteristics of skin-sensitizing as well as respir atory allergens. We measured the effect of APS on the release of infla mmatory mediators, i.e. leukotriene B-4 (LTB(4)), from human polymorph onuclear neutrophils (PMN). The effect of the persulfate was analyzed in comparison of the corresponding sulfate. After different cellular a ctivation either with the Ca ionophore A23187, the tripeptide formyl-m ethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) or sodium fluoride (NaF) coincuba tion of PMN with APS led to a diminished generation of LTB(4). In addi tion it was demonstrated that APS decreased the stability of leukotrie nes in cell-free systems. However, cells which were preactivated with APS and subsequently washed showed an increase in leukotriene formatio n after stimulation with fMLP or NaF but not with the Ca ionophore. Th us, the concentration of APS at local tissue sites as well as the occu rrence and nature of a secondary cell-activating stimulus finally dete rmine to what extent persulfates will interfere with cellular function s, e.g. mediator suppression or induction, which are then responsible for clinical disease processes.