ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS OF SULFITE OXIDATION IN HUMAN POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES

Sodium sulfite is metabolized by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes by two alternative pathways, one enzymatic route dependent on sulfite ox idase and one non-enzymatic which involves intermediate formation of s ulfur trioxide anion radicals. Initiation of the oxidative burst by ph orbol myristate acetate significantly stimulates sulfate formation thr ough the second pathway. The activity of sulfite oxidase in polymorpho nuclear leukocytes varies greatly among individuals, a variation consi stent with the suggested polymorphic distribution of sulfite oxidase i n the human population.