Effects of gold compounds on the function of phagocytic cells. I. Suppression of phagocytosis and the generation of chemiluminescence by polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

The effect of sodium aurothiomalate (GSTM) and auranofin (AF) on polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes has been assessed using a Candida albicans phagocytosis method and by the generation of chemiluminescence of activated cells. Both compounds inhibited the phagocytosis of Candida albicans but at therapeutic concentrations this was only consistent and significant with AF. This drug, but not GSTM, also had a suppressive effect on the generation of chemiluminescence. These results suggest that AF has a more potent effect on PMN function than GSTM. They also suggest that the effect of these compounds in vitro may differ from each other and from the effects previously reported with other phagocytic cells, notably peripheral blood mononuclear cells.