[Enzymatic production of superoxide by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes in burns]

Production of superoxide anion by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) was studied in donors and patients with burns. N-formyl-L-Met-L-Leu-L-Phe (FMLP) was used as an activator of PMNL. Evaluation in production of superoxide anion, caused by the activating effect of FMLP, proved to be useful as a diagnostic and prognostic criterion. 56 preparations of blood were studied in 21 patients with burns within the periods of acute burns toxemia, burns septicotoxemia and convalescence. Superoxide anion generating activity correlated with the disease severity: content of superoxide anion was distinctly decreased within the period of sepsis development. At the same time, complex treatment of the patients, involving step-by-step autodermoplastics, antibacterial preparations and immunotherapy, enabled to restore the superoxide anion production up to normal values. Evaluation of the superoxide anion generating activity by PMNL in the patients with severe forms of burns enabled to estimate the state of cell immunity in the patients depending on severity of burns trauma, period of burn disease and adequacy of the treatment applied.