[Influence of new quinolones on superoxide anion generation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes]

We investigated the influence of the new quinolones for the ability to kill on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and in the urine in order to clarify the in vivo effects of the new quinolones. Four new quinolones, i.e., norfloxacin, enoxacin, ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were employed. PMNs derived from peripheral blood in PBS and in hypotonic urine were stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate or opsonized zymosan, and superoxide anion generation of PMNs was measured by means of the chemiluminescence method. The superoxide anion generation of PMNs was significantly enhanced in the presence of 10 micrograms/ml of all new quinolones and significantly suppressed in the presence of 100 micrograms/ml of all new quinolones in PBS and in hypotonic urine. From these results, it was suggested that no influence of new quinolones on the ability to kill the PMNs might be seen in human blood, however, a great influence might be expected in the urine in the human urinary tract.