Bactericidal and cytotoxic effects of hypothiocyanite-hydrogen peroxide mixtures

Lactoperoxidase catalyzes the oxidation of thiocyanate by hydrogen peroxide into hypothiocyanite, a reaction which can protect bacterial and mammalian cells from killing by hydrogen peroxide. The present study demonstrates, however, that lactoperoxidase in the presence of thiocyanate can actually potentiate the bactericidal and cytotoxic effects of hydrogen peroxide under specific conditions, such as when hydrogen peroxide is present in the reaction mixtures in excess of thiocyanate. The toxic agent was also formed in the absence of lactoperoxidase in a reaction between hypothiocyanite and hydrogen peroxide. Sulfate, sulfite, cyanate, carbonate, and ammonia, which have been postulated to be formed in the chemical oxidation of hypothiocyanite by hydrogen peroxide, were not bactericidal and did not potentiate the bactericidal effect of hydrogen peroxide. Cyanosulfurous acid, the only other postulated product of the chemical oxidation of hypothiocyanite by hydrogen peroxide, may be the killing agent.