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Effect of Catecholamines on the Bactericidal Activity of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes ¹

^a The Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, The Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103

ABSTRACT

Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dihydroxyphenylalanine at 8 mM concentrations prevented iodination of zymosan by intact neutrophils and decarboxylation of L-alanine by leukocyte sonic extracts. The same concentration of epinephrine also reduced bactericidal activity of the leukocyte against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae, and Proteus rettgeri without decreasing phagocytosis of bacteria. Spectral studies indicated that epinephrine interferes with the myeloperoxidase-mediated reactions by competing for available H₂O₂ via its enzymatic oxidation to adrenochrome. These findings support a mechanism in which H₂O₂ plays an important role in the bactericidal activity of the leukocyte.

¹ Submitted by Diane Qualliotine in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of M.S. at Wake Forest University.