Sensitive and rapid method for determination of superoxide-generating activity of blood monocytes and its use as a probe for monocyte function in cancer patients.

The superoxide anion-generating capacity of human blood monocytes was measured by a sensitive and rapid method established by taking advantage of the fact that the generation of superoxide anions by monocytes was markedly enhanced by the combined stimulation of the cells with cytochalasin-E and wheat germ agglutinin. The activity was expressed by the initial rate of cytochrome c reduction after the addition of wheat germ agglutinin. The rate obtained with normal human monocytes was 0.73 +/- 0.19 nmol/min/10(5) monocytes (mean +/- SD, n = 10). Because of its sensitivity, the method required only 10(5) monocytes and can be used to follow the monocyte function in various patients. Preliminary data obtained with 15 cases of advanced cancer patients (0.29 +/- 0.10 nmol/min/10(5) monocytes) suggested a possible decrease of the superoxide-generating activity, at least in some state of cancer patients. It appears that measurement of superoxide-generating activity will be meaningful to monitor monocyte function.