Pyruvate-Dependent Changes in Neutrophil Amino- and Alpha-Keto Acid Profiles or Immunity: Which Mechanisms Are Involved?

Abstract

High current findings indicate that a substitution with pyruvate can lead to significant alterations or even improvement in neutrophil immunonutrition. However, it is still unknown which intra-cellular pathways might be involved here. Hence, in this study, we investigated whether preincu-bation with an inhibitor of ·NO-synthase (L-NAME), an ·NO donor (SNAP), an analogue of taurine (beta-alanine), an inhibitor of ornithine-decarboxylase (DFMO) as well as a glutamine-analogue (DON), is able to alter the intragranulocytic metabolic response to pyruvate, here for example studied for neutrophil intracellular amino- and α-keto acid concentrations or important neutrophil immune functions [released myeloperoxidase (MPO), the formation of superoxide anions O 2 - and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 )]. In summary, the interesting first results presented here showed, that any damage of specific metabolic pathways or mechanisms, which seem directly or indirectly to be involved in relevant pyruvate dependent granulocytic nutrient content or specific cellular tasks, could lead to therapeutically desired, but also to unexpected or even fatal consequences for the affected cells. We therefore continue to believe that pyruvate, irrespective of which exact biochemical mechanisms were involved, in neutrophils may satisfy the substantial metabolic demands for a potent intracellular nutrient.