The application of a flow cytometric assay for evaluation of phagocytosis of neutrophils.

Phagocytosis and the release of oxidative products generated by the respiratory burst have been studied in vitro under the influence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: naproxen and ibuprofen, using phagocytes of peripheral blood from healthy human donors. Phagocytosis was monitored by flow cytometry in order to investigate the uptake of propidium iodide-labelled bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) by polymorphonuclear leucocytes. In addition, the phagocytic capacity and percentage of killed bacteria was measured in isolated neutrophils using the Pantazis & Kniker method. It was found that naproxen and ibuprofen affect the phagocytic function and hydrogen peroxide production in the examined granulocytes. These methods might be useful in investigations on neutrophil functions.