Effect of selenium deficiency on caprine polymorphonuclear leukocyte production of leukotriene B4 and its neutrophil chemotactic activity

These studies were designed to measure leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) from selenium (Se)-deficient and Se-adequate goats. Leukotriene B4 was measured by both radioimmune and chemotactic activity assays in supernatants of PMN stimulated by calcium ionophore A23187. The concentration of LTB4 produced by PMN from Se-deficient goats was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower than the concentration of LTB4 produced by PMN from Se-adequate goats. Neutrophil chemotactic activity of LTB4 was found to be directly dependent (r2 = 0.85) on the LTB4 concentration. When supernatants from Se-deficient and Se-adequate goats were adsorbed with caprine neutrophils, significant (P less than 0.05) reduction in LTB4 was found in supernatants from both groups. Furthermore, neutrophil adsorption of LTB4 from supernatants of both groups was indicated by significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased chemotaxis to LTB4 supernatants. Decrease in chemotactic response was, however, significantly (P less than 0.05) lower when neutrophils were treated with supernatants from Se-deficient goats. These results indicate that Se deficiency decreases the production of LTB4 by caprine PMN and, hence, LTB4-mediated neutrophil chemotaxis.