[Chemiluminescence of oxygen radicals. A computerized method for its evaluation]

The measurement of oxygen free radicals (O2-) production after polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) stimulation may be useful to elucidate the pathogenesis of rheumatic disorders and to assess the efficacy of anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatoid drugs. The Authors describe a computerized method (with original specific analogic/digital converter and software) which allows a rapid and accurate determination of O2- production and a prompt storage of the data. The Authors, in disagreement with the current opinion, believe that PMNLs activity is more truly expressed by the total amount of emitted energy in a defined interval time than by the peak of emitted energy.