Effect of indole acetic acid on oxygen metabolism in cultured rat neutrophil

1. Indole acetic acid (IAA) stimulates O-2(.-) and H2O2 production in cells with peroxidase activity, such as neutrophils. The effect of pharmacological IAA concentration on oxygen metabolism and neutrophil functioning and viability in culture was investigated. 2. The results led to the conclusion that: (1) IAA causes death and marked ultrastructural changes in cultured neutrophils but does not affect lymphocytes; (2) these effects are not due to a reduction in the enzymatic antioxidant capacity of the cell, as indicated by catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH Px); (3) these effects are mainly due to an increase in the production of O-2(.-) and H2O2, as suggested by the protective effect exhibited by the addition of CAT and SOD to cultured neutrophils, a:nd (4) other reactive species (possibly peroxyl radicals) might play a role in the IAA effect on cultivated neutrophil viability. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.