The rapid and spontaneous interaction between superoxide anion radical and nitric oxide to yield the potent oxidants. peroxynitrite artion and peroxynitrous acid, was investigated in phorbol myristate acetate(PMA)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophases by means of lucigenin- or luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence method. When RAW264.7 macrophages were stimulated by PMA. peroxynitrite-induced chemiluminescence was clearly observed. To prove observed chemiluminescencc due to the reaction between superoxide anion radical and nitric oxide produced by RAW264.7 macrophases, N-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), a nitric oxide-releasing compound. superoxide dismutase(SOD), an enzyme removing superoxide anion radical by dismutating superoxide artion radical to hydrogen peroxide, and N-acethyl cysteine(NAC), a scarvenging reagent both superoxide artion radical and nitric oxide, were added in the cell system. Peroxynitrite- induced chemilumincscence was increased by exogenous addition of GSNO. whereas observed chemiluminescence was decreased by SOD and NAC. These results suggest that PMA-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages produce both superoxide anion radical and nitric oxide to form peroxynitrite.