EFFECT OF PENTOXIFYLLINE IN-VITRO ON NEUTROPHIL REACTIVE OXYGEN PRODUCTION AND PHAGOCYTIC ABILITY ASSESSED BY FLOW-CYTOMETRY

Neutrophil granulocytes have been described as agents of defence and d estruction. The effect of pentoxifylline on the phagocytic ability and generation of reactive oxygen radicals of neutrophils was studied at concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 mg/L. Flow cytometry was used to study phagocytic ability by measuring uptake of fluorescein-labelled bacter ia. The generation of reactive oxygen intermediates was estimated by t he quantification of the intracellular conversion of dihydrorhodamine 123 to rhodamine 123. In vitro pentoxifylline treatment diminished neu trophil reactive oxygen production (at 10 mg/L -45% and at 100 mg/L -6 3%; p < 0.001 for both) and reduced neutrophil phagocytic ability (at 100 mg/L -23%; p < 0.05). Both effects were rapidly reversible after p lasma exchange. We conclude that pentoxifylline could decrease oxidati ve tissue damage by neutrophils in septicaemia or after TV granulocyte transfusion.