Neutrophils (PMNs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of gastrit
is. This study evaluates the magnitude and mode of PMN-mediated damage
to gastric mucosal surface cells (GSC) in a system independent of vas
cular and neural factors. Rabbit GSC were freshly isolated and preload
ed with Cr-51. GSC were then incubated for 1 hr or 4 hr with freshly i
solated human PMNs at varying effector-to-target cell ratios. Injury t
o GSC was assessed as percent specific Cr-51 released and by electron
microscopy. We found minimal GSC injury using nonactivated PMNs. Incub
ation with PMNs activated with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenalalanine (
FMLP), however, resulted in significant GSC injury at the 20:1 PMN/GSC
ratio, 33.2 +/- 1.8% Cr-51 release (P < 0.001 compared to nonactivate
d PMNs). Electron microscopy revealed well-preserved gastric surface c
ells after exposure to nonstimulated PMNs. GSC exposed to activated PM
Ns (20:1 PMN/GSC ratio) were severely injured. Proteinase inhibitors a
nd dimethylsulfoxide failed to diminish PMN-mediated GSC injury. Conve
rsely, superoxide dismutase (SOD) inhibited GSC injury by more than 50
% IP < 0.001). In addition, glutathione peroxidase inhibited injury by
84% (P < 0. 001). These data suggest that neutrophil-mediated injury
to gastric surface cells in vitro involves superoxide anion and hypoch
lorous acid and not neutral trypsinlike proteinases or hydroxyl radica
ls.