[Chemiluminescence measurements on phagocytes isolated from peripheral human blood to evaluate the efficacy of drug therapy in patients with hypertension].

Introduction: The increased activity of nicotinamid adenine dinucleotid phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, which produces superoxide anions causing photon emission (chemiluminescence) in luminol milieu is a crucial factor in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Many antihypertension drugs have dual effects: a) acting on special targets to reduce hypertension, b) blocking of production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Objective: To test the efficacy of antihypertension therapy, two types of chemiluminescence measurements were performed on peripheral phagocytes from 20-20 donors with and without hypertension. In all patients, the blood pressure was in a well-controlled range. Furthermore, to analyze to interaction of “superoxide” anions and “ferryl peroxide complex” on the chemiluminescence values in peripheral phagocytes. Method: A luminometer was used to measure chemiluminescence in luminol milieu (expressed in relative luminescence units, RLU) originated from a) superoxide molecules during zymosan phagocytosis, b) [Fe3+O22–] “ferryl peroxide complexes” from cytochrome c + H2O2 reaction. For the uniform opsonization of zymosan, 10% fetal calf serum milieu was used for each donor. Results: The two chemiluminescence values showed additive effects, but no significant differences were found between the two groups. However, the RLU values of both types of ROS molecules were slightly lower in the hypertensive patients. The chemiluminescence producing capability of phagocytes from drug-treated patients did not differ significantly from that of controls, it reflected the actual good clinical states. Conclusion: The measurements of phagocytic chemiluminescence verified and confirmed the efficacy of anti-hypertension therapy due ROS production, too. The molecules of “ferryl peroxide complex” are newly recognized weak but active components of ROS molecules which may also play some roles in hypertension. The chemiluminescence measurements can complete the results of traditional instrumental measurements. However, they are able to detect even slighter alterations, too. Orv Hetil. 2025; 166(35): 1383–1390.