The interaction of human polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes (neutrophils) with interleukin-1 (IL-1) resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent, selective, release of azurophil (myeloperoxidase, lysozyme) and specific (lysozyme, vitamin B 12-binding protein) granule constituents. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and lysozyme secretion was markedly attenuated if neutrophils were not exposed to cytochalasin B (CB) prior to contact with IL-1. Degranulation was significantly enhanced in the presence of extracellular calcium. IL-1-elicited granule exocytosis was inhibited by the intracellular calcium antagonist, 8-(N,N-diethylamino)-octyl-(3,4,5-trimethoxy) benzoate hydrochloride (TMB-8), a calmodulin antagonist, trifluoperazine (TFP), and an anion channel blocker, 4,4′-diisothiocyano-2,2′-disulfonic acid stilbene (DIDS). An evaluation of the role of arachidonic acid metabolites in IL-1-induced neutrophil activation revealed a suppressive effect on enzyme release exerted by the lipoxygenase inhibitors, piriprost potassium (6,9,deepoxy-6,9-(phenylimino)- Δ 6,8 -prostaglandin I 1, U-60,257B) and NDGA (nordihydroguaiaretic acid), and a cyclooxygenase/lipoxygenase inhibitor, ETYA (5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid). These data describe the characteristics of IL-1 as a human neutrophil secretagogue, and enhance our insight into the mechanism of inflammatory cell activation with this monokine.