[Cytochemical evidence for endogenous hydrogen peroxide generation in the neutrophils from human blood smears]

We present more accurate evidence for generation of endogenous hydrogen peroxide as a result of peroxidase-endogenous hydrogen peroxide system activity in the neutrophils (Rogovin et al., 1978). The normal cytochemical reaction of the peroxidase-endogenous hydrogen peroxide system in the neutrophil peroxidasosomes after elimination of water-dissolved H2O2 by KMnO4 indicates the neutrophils on smears as a source of H2O2, rather than alcohol-formaldehyde. This is confirmed by the cytochemical reaction of peroxidase-endogenous H2O2 reaction in the neutrophils on smears prepared without fixation. The peroxidase-endogenous H2O2 system in the neutrophils on blood smears acts at pH other than peroxidase: 7.7-5.5 vs. 7.7-3.4 (basic pH range was not examined). This difference appear to be due specific features of the enzyme complexes ultimately generating H2O2.