We investigated luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL) of peripheral blood polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) from gouty patients. The reaction mixture consisted of peripheral PMN, luminol solution and opsonized Zymosan. In acute gouty arthritis, LDCL of PMNs was enhanced more prominently than that of asymptomatic patients and healthy volunteers. A serial measurement of LDCL revealed that enhancement of LDCL was only associated with episodes of acute gouty. When colchicine was administered during acute gouty attacks, enhancement of LDCL was suppressed. However, this suppression was more prominent in patients with Behcet's disease who were administered colchicine continuously. No significant correlation was found between serum uric acid levels and LDCL.
