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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
Fast and Specific Assessment of the Halogenating Peroxidase Activity in Leukocyte-enriched Blood Samples
Published on: July 28, 2016
How reliable an indicator of inflammation is myeloperoxidase activity?
Minnie Faith1, Abitha Sukumaran, Anna B Pulimood
1Department of Biochemistry, Christian Medical College, and Department of Gastrointestinal Sciences, The Wellcome Trust Research Laboratory, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore-632002, Tamil Nadu, India.
Background:
Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are often used as markers of inflammation. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether MPO activity is as reliable as IL-6 as an indicator of inflammation.
Methods:
Inflammation was induced in mice, using either turpentine or indomethacin. Duodenal tissue was removed from these animals at various time periods ranging from 6 h to 7 days later. Concentrations of IL-6 and MPO activity were estimated in the tissue. Histopathological examination was also carried out at some of the time periods to determine the presence of neutrophil infiltration in turpentine-treated mice.
Results:
Concentrations of IL-6 and MPO activity were significantly higher in tissue that had been treated with the agents used, at all the time periods studied, when compared with corresponding control tissue. Fold-increases in MPO activity were higher than fold-increases in IL-6. Concentrations of the 2 parameters showed significant positive correlation. Histopathological examination did not show significantly higher numbers of neutrophils infiltrating the tissue in response to turpentine, at the time periods studied.
Conclusions:
Estimation of MPO activity is a reliable indicator of inflammation, being more sensitive than histopathological examination of tissue and as good as measurement of IL-6 concentrations.
Insights
Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity is a reliable inflammation marker, showing greater sensitivity than tissue examination and comparable effectiveness to interleukin-6 (IL-6) measurements in detecting inflammatory responses.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are established inflammation markers.
- The reliability of MPO activity compared to IL-6 as an inflammation indicator requires further validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity as an inflammation marker.
- To compare MPO activity with interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations in an induced inflammation model.
Main Methods:
- Inflammation was induced in mice using turpentine or indomethacin.
- Duodenal tissue was analyzed for IL-6 concentrations and MPO activity at various time points.
- Histopathological examination assessed neutrophil infiltration in turpentine-treated mice.
Main Results:
- Both IL-6 and MPO activity were significantly elevated in inflamed tissues compared to controls.
- MPO activity showed higher fold-increases than IL-6, with a significant positive correlation between the two.
- Histopathology did not reveal significantly increased neutrophil infiltration.
Conclusions:
- Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity serves as a dependable indicator of inflammation.
- MPO activity is more sensitive than histopathological analysis and as effective as IL-6 measurement for assessing inflammation.
