Suppressive effect of zinc on some functions of neutrophils: studies with carrageenan-induced inflammation in rats.

Abstract

The effect of zinc administration to rats on the acute inflammatory response to carrageenan in the pleural cavity was studied. The number of neutrophils mobilized into the pleural cavity was markedly reduced in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the volume of exudate formed significantly increased during the development of pleurisy. In the neutrophils isolated from zinc-treated rats, the mobilization capacity, phagocytic activity and concomitant O2- production were strongly inhibited accompanied with a slight increase in zinc content in the cells. These inhibitory effects of zinc on neutrophil functions and the increase in zinc content of cells were also observed in an in vitro system.The viability of neutrophils obtained from zinc-treated rats slightly decreased, as was evidenced from leakage of cytoplasmic lactate dehydrogenase during the course of phagocytosis, suggesting that the neutrophils from zinc-treated rats may be more susceptible to cell damage during phagocytosis.