[Formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles of phagocytizing polymorphonuclear leukocytes in O2-and N2-atmosphere in in vitro-experiments (author's transl)].

During O2 and N2 gasification in vitro, neutrophilic granulocytes ingest killed staphylococci with equal intensity. O2-gassed neutrophilic granulocytes form significantly more cytoplasmic vacuoles than N2-gassed neutrophilic granulocytes in absolute terms an in relation to the number of ingested staphylococci. The cytoplasmic vacuoles of O2-gassed neutrophilic granulocytes occupy a larger surface in smear preparations than those of N2-gassed neutrophilic granulocytes. The results make it probable that the formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles in neutrophilic granulocytes is an O2-dependent process. This interpretation is in agreement with concepts on the peroxidation of membrane lipids and membrane destabilization. It is consistent with the process of membrane fusion and thus the formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles, which are to be regarded as phagolysosomes.