Peroxidation of liposomes promoted by human polymorphonuclear leucocytes

Human polymorphonuclear leucocytes were found to promote peroxidation of phospholipid liposomes upon stimulation by phorbol myristate acetate. Peroxidation required the presence of either pyrophosphate-chelated or ADP-chelated iron, whereas iron chelated to EDTA or ATP had no effect. Peroxidation was also catalyzed by ferritin, but not by transferrin. Superoxide dismutase abolished the peroxidation, whereas catalase and apparently also the hydroxyl radical scavenger dimethyl sulphoxide were inactive, indicating that the peroxidation was mediated by superoxide radicals but not by hydrogen peroxide or hydroxyl radicals. Xanthine oxidase-promoted peroxidation was studied for comparison and showed similar characteristics except that transferrin catalyzed the peroxidation. Peroxidation of membrane lipids may be a mechanism whereby granulocytes cause tissue damage in inflammation. The drugs paracetamol, gentisic acid and 5-aminosalicylic acid inhibited lipid peroxidation, probably through their ability to react with the superoxide anion.