Depressed neutrophil chemotactic stimuli in supernatants of ionophore-treated polymorphonuclear leukocytes from selenium-deficient goats

The effect of dietary selenium (Se) deficiency on the generation of neutrophil chemotactic factors from goat polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) was studied. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes were isolated from 2 groups of crossbred goats. One group (n = 3) was fed a diet deficient in Se; the other (n = 3) was fed a diet adequate in Se. The PMN from each goat were stimulated with calcium ionophore A23187 and supernatants were collected. Each supernatant was immediately assayed for its ability to elicit neutrophil chemotaxis (NCT) and neutrophil chemokinesis by the Boyden chamber technique and neutrophil chemiluminescence (NCL) by the luminol-dependent chemiluminescence assay. Measurements from each group were compared, using the Student's t test. There was no significant difference (P greater than 0.01) in neutrophil chemokinesis elicited by supernatants derived from stimulated PMN from the 2 groups. However, supernatants derived from PMN of goats fed the Se-deficient diet had a significantly decreased capacity (P less than 0.01) to stimulate NCT and NCL. In vitro incubation of PMN with Se before ionophore treatment produced supernatants with increased NCL stimulation (P less than 0.05), but none with increased NCT stimulation (P greater than 0.05). However, both activities were restored after goats fed the Se-deficient diet (P less than 0.01) were given Se subcutaneously. Seemingly, dietary Se deficiency is associated with depressed PMN generation of factors that stimulate NCT and NCL. In contrast to NCL factors, synthesis of factors stimulating NCT probably was not associated directly with PMN glutathione peroxidase concentration.