Immunostimulating effect of an oxygen-free radical scavenger on E-rosette forming cells

The influence of an oxygen-free radical scavenger, Epurox (containing superoxide dismutase, catalase and mannitol) on E-rosette forming cells (E-RFC) obtained from 40 healthy subjects, was studied using a standard method. The preincubation of lymphocytes with Epurox increased the E-rosette forming in 80% of the subjects. The mean E-rosette count after preincubation with Epurox (64.17 +/- 6.95) was greater (p less than 0.01) as compared with that obtained without scavenger addition. The stimulating effect of Epurox may be due to the inhibition of cAMP synthesis. This assumption is supported by our study regarding the antagonistic effect of Epurox on E-rosette inhibition induced by histamine, a powerful stimulator of adenylate cyclase.