[Luminol chemiluminescence of phagocytosing polymorphonuclear leukocytes (author's transl)]

The oxidative metabolism, and thus the bactericidal activity, of neutrophil granulocytes can be evaluated by measurement of the luminol chemiluminescence during phagocytosis. The method described requires only a small number of separated cells (0.3 X 10(6)); continuous measurement in the physiologic temperature range is possible. The procedure is described and results of polymorphonuclear leukocytes from healthy adults and umbilical cord blood from healthy newborns are given. Quantitative variations in the single components (number of granulocytes, number of phagocytic particles, concentration of luminol) and the measuring volume are investigated. The significance of the chosen parameters "photon emission during defined time of measurement" and "time of maximum photon emission per unit time" used for evaluation is shown by comparison of the results from the influence of phorbol myristate acetate on the luminol chemiluminescence of phagocytosing granulocytes. The method described enables the evaluation of the capacity and the temporal course of stimulation of the oxidative metabolism of polymorphonuclear granulocytes in phagocytosis.