Free fatty acids enhance hypochlorous acid production by activated neutrophils.

Activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) may contribute to the genesis of chronic obstructive lung disease in long-term cigarette smokers. However, it is not presently known which elements in smoke are important in triggering this progressive pulmonary damage or in affecting the activities of inflammatory cells such as PMNs. We earlier found substances in organic concentrates of cigarette smoke that bound ferrous iron and transferred the metal into organic phases. These substances were later identified as saturated free fatty acids, predominantly palmitic and stearic acids (16:0 and 18:0). We now report investigations of the effects of fatty acids on the oxidative metabolism of PMNs