Abstract
The nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction activity of neutrophils has been reported to be affected by two different components in serum which act directly on neutrophils or bacterial opsonization.
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between O2 production of neutrophils and the components in serum by examination of the components in serum which influenced the NBT and cytochrome C reduction test.
The results were as follows:
1) NBT reduction activity in serum from normal subjects was significantly greater as compared with that in serum from patients with periodontal disease. And this effect was observed remarkably on fresh serum with normal subjects.
2) NBT reduction activity of neutrophils was significantly enhanced by serum albumin fraction; additionally it was sensitivity influenced by the Ca2+ in serum.
3) Some components in serum significantly enhanced O2 production of neutrophils which had been stimulated by cytochalasin D or concanavalin A.
These results showed that some components in serum enhanced the phagocytosis or O2 production by neutrophils and that especially the NBT reduction activity was markedly increased by serum albumin, perhaps via its effect on the neutrophil membrane.
