REGULATION OF NORMAL HUMAN POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES BY CARNITINE

THE effect of carnitine, a drug that plays an essential role in mitochondria metabolism, on some of the most important human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) activation steps including modulation of adhesion molecule density, reactive oxygen species production, and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) production was investigated. The capability of carnitine in protecting PMN from deterioration on storage was also studied. Data shows that carnitine exerts considerable effects on all PMN functions investigated. Although the ultimate effect was often donor dependent, TNF alpha production was exceptional in that carnitine was able to consistently reduce TNF alpha production in Staphylococcus aureus stimulated PMN in a cleat dose-dependent fashion. It is concluded that carnitine may represent a useful active agent in situations characterized by PMN mobilization/activation.