Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 1, eicosanoid, and hydrogen peroxide release from macrophages exposed to glove starch particles.

The inflammatory mechanisms leading to glove starch powder peritonitis are still unclear. This study was designed to examine the secretory potential of macrophages exposed to starch powder particles. Rat peritoneal macrophages and human monocytes were incubated in vitro with starch particles obtained from three commonly used surgical gloves. It was found that macrophages and monocytes released large amounts of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 1, prostaglandin E2, thromboxane B2, and hydrogen peroxide. Release of these inflammatory mediators was associated with progressive cell death of macrophages. These data indicate that postoperative peritonitis and subsequent granuloma formation initiated by glove powder particles may be mediated and maintained, at least in part, by macrophage-derived cytokines, eicosanoids, and reactive oxygen intermediates.