Comparative studies of modulatory effect to the function of rat peritoneal neutrophils treated with new quinolones.

Some of the immunological effects of a variety of new quinolones on adhesion, phagocytosis, and production of reactive oxygen intermediators in neutrophils were studied. Ofloxacin, lomefloxacin, fleroxacin, and levofloxacin potentiated the phagocytosis of Escherichia coli in neutrophils. Moreover, lomefloxacin, and sparfloxacin significantly potentiated adhesion of neutrophils. In contrast, tosufloxacin was effective in significantly and persistently potentiating the production of superoxide anion, whereas the other agents markedly inhibited such production. Furthermore, tosufloxacin was effective in significantly potentiating the production of hydrogen peroxide, whereas sparfloxacin markedly inhibited such production. These results suggest that the new quinolones at a therapeutic concentration may affect functions such as phagocytosis, and production of superoxide anion in neutrophils.