Abstract
The effect of serum obtained from Arthus reaction-elicited rabbits on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by normal rabbits' polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) was examined. The oxidative metabolism of infiltrating PMNs in the skin during the Arthus reaction was observed by the nitroblue tetrazolium dye reduction test (NBT test). The significantly increased H2O2 generation by normal PMNs was observed when PMNs were incubated with serum obtained 24 and 48h after the elicitation. Also the increased O2- generation was noted after incubation with serum taken at 48h after the elicitation. Many NBT-positive PMNs were observed in skin specimens obtained 24 and 48h after the elicitation. These results may indicate the importance of ROS generated by infiltrating PMNs in immune complex vasculitis because the Arthus reaction is a model of immune complex vasculitis.
