Inhibition of superoxide anion production in guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes by a seleno-organic compound, ebselen.

Production of superoxide anion (O-2) induced by tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) in intact guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) was markedly inhibited by a seleno-organic compound, 2-phenyl-1, 2-benzisoselenazol-3 (2H)-one (Ebselen), with glutathione peroxidase-like activity. The compound almost completely inhibited O-2 production by a particulate fraction prepared from TPA-treated PMNL at a concentration as low as 250 nM.