Peroxidase activity in relation to iodide, 17 beta-oestradiol and thioureylene drug uptake in human polymorphoneutrophils.

In polymorphoneutrophils (PMNs) phagocytosis is accompanied by an increase in peroxidase activity. Accumulation of iodide, thioureylene antithyroid drugs and 17 beta-oestradiol also occurs during the process. There is no evidence of an active iodide transport system in the PMNs as pertechnetate is not concentrated and neither ouabain nor perchlorate abolishes iodide accumulation. The uptakes of 125I, [35S]PTU and [3H]-17 beta-oestradiol were compared in phagocytosing PMNs and the effects of various compounds examined. In addition, chemiluminescence generation from luminol by PMNs and by horseradish peroxidase was studied. This indicated that uptake of all three compounds could be associated with activation of the peroxidase system, and inhibition of this enzyme system caused a reduction in their accumulation.