Metabolic perturbation of the inflammatory cells

An activation of the oxidative metabolism of phagocytes is a regular concomitant of phagocytosis as well as of other functions of these cells such as exocytosis, chemotactic locomotion, and immune-adherence. Several other substances, some of which may be found in the inflammatory site, are also able to stimulate the oxidative metabolism of phagocytes, for example phospholipases, antileucocyte antibodies, endotoxins, fatty acids, surfactants and fragments of complement.