Superoxide anion production by alveolar macrophages of guinea pigs fed different diets in a model of atopy

Aim of this study was to investigate if the effects of dietary linoleic acid on guinea pig tracheal relaxation might be induced by an effect of linoleic acid on the superoxide anion production of the alveolar macrophages. This was investigated using both saline treated (control) and H. influenzae treated animals (as a model for atopy). The results demonstrate that dietary linoleic acid affects the opsonized zymosan-stimulated but not the non-stimulated superoxide production of alveolar macrophages, obtained by broncho-alveolar lung lavage, in guinea pigs. An increase in superoxide anion generation, after zymosan stimulation, coincides with a deterioration in β-adrenergic receptor function induced by less optimal dietary linoleic acid conditions. Since no differences could be detected between the superoxide anion generation of the alveolar macrophages in saline and H. influenzae treated guinea pigs, the role of these radicals in the by H. influenzae induced β-adrenergic deteriorating effects, however, remains to be elucidated.