Electron spin resonance detection of oxygen-centred radicals in murine macrophages stimulated with bacterial endotoxin.

The production of oxygen radicals by Bacille-Calmette-Guerin primed mouse macrophages stimulated with bacterial endotoxin has been investigated. Superoxide radicals were spin-trapped in this system with dimethylpyrroline-N-oxide after a lag period of 20-40 minutes. The electron spin resonance signals due to the superoxide radical adduct could be inhibited by superoxide dismutase but not by catalase.