Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) play a central role in the acute inflammatory response and functions associated with phagocytosis and bacterial killing, including lysosomal enzyme release and superoxide anion (O2-) generation, are also implicated in tissue injury. We have studied the modulation by chlorpromazine (CPZ) on the effects of lipopolisaccharide (LPS) in vivo in mice. Pretreatment with CPZ (4 mg/kg) and, to lesser extent, promethazine, inhibited LPS-induced hypoferraemia and lethality in mice. We have also observed that CPZ (1-15 microns) inhibited lactoferrin release by PMN in vitro, suggesting that this effect could be responsible for the inhibition of hypoferraemia. We have also evaluated the effect of CPZ on other PMN functions implicated in tissue damage and inflammation, chemotaxis and O2- production. CPZ inhibited both activities, although it had chemokinetic activity per se. These data indicate that CPZ is a modular of PMN functions in vivo and in vitro and this effect could be directly implicated in the protective action of CPZ against endotoxic shock.