Abstract
The effect of ketone bodies (actoacetic acid [AcAc] and 3-hydroxybutyriacid [3-0H BA]) on production of active oxygen species by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from diabetic ketosis patients and normal volunteers were examiped using luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (LDCL) stimulated by opsonized zymosan. Clinically we observed the relationships between LDCL activity and serum ketone levels, arterial pH and fasting blood glucose levels. A negative correlation was found between LDCL activity and the level of serum ketone bodies (p<0.01). Effects of ketone bodies on LDCL were tested in vitro using normal PMNs. Both ketone bodies inhibited the LDCL of normal PMNs, and the inhibition rates were about 42% in the case of AcAc and 44% in the case of 3-OHBA, when PMNs were preincubated with ketone bodies (10 mM) for 60 min. LDCL activity was also inhibited 16% and 42% by the amount of AcAc 1mM and 10mM, respectively. The same inhibitory effect was observed by 3-OHBA. LDCL activity decreased as preincubation time increased. Ketone bodies also inhibited production of superoxide anion from PMNs stimulated by opsonized zymosan. However, they did not inhibi myeloperoxidase activity. Our data suggest that the improvement of both ketosis and hyperglycemia is important in preventing serious infections.
