Myeloperoxidase activity in skin lesions. II. Influence of alcohol and some medicines.

The measurement of myeloperoxidase activity was used to quantify the acute granulocyte reaction. Ethyl alcohol given intraperitoneally in rats as doses of 3, 4 and 5 g per kg body weight resulted in a clear decrease of the myeloperoxidase activity at the edges of incision wounds. When one-half of the LD 50 dose of chlorpromazine was given intraperitoneally a remarkable decrease in the myeloperoxidase activity was observed. Moderate decreases were obtained with one-half of the LD 50 dose of acetyl salisylic acid and Na-pentobarbital and with high therapeutic doses of hydrocortisone and indomethacin.