The reactivity of neutrophils at the site of an acute inflammatory reaction as measured by chemiluminescence.

In this study the technique of luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (LECL), which was shown to be dependent on the generation of superoxide anion, has been employed to investigate the reactivity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes found at the site of inflammation. Cells derived from the pleural cavity of rats undergoing an acute inflammatory reaction initiated by an intrapleural injection of calcium pyrophosphate or normal serum demonstrated a significantly higher chemiluminescent response compared to cells derived from animals injected with plasma, saline or phosphate-buffered saline. In addition in vitro studies showed that calcium pyrophosphate crystals could stimulate the cells per se and could increase their reactivity.