In Ca++ containing media, arachidonic acid markedly stimulated superoxide and H2O2 generation and activated NADPH oxidase. In Ca++ free media, stimulatory action of arachidonic acid on NADPH oxidase was not detected. Arachidonic acid-stimulated respiratory burst was inhibited by EGTA, TMB-8, verapamil, diltiazem, nifedipine, dibucaine, lidocaine, CCCP, 2,4-dinitrophenol, sodium arsenate, chlorpromazine, theophylline, HgCl2, PCMB and PCMBSA but not affected by tetrodotoxin, tetraethylammonium chloride and procaine. EGTA almost completely inhibited release of β-glucuronidase by arachidonic acid and verapamil, CCCP and theophylline slightly inhibited it, whereas dibucaine did not show any significant effect. Arachidonic acid induced Ca++ release from intact neutrophils and it was decreased by TMB-8. Arachidonic acid-induced elevation of intracellular free Ca++ level was inhibited by EGTA and CCCP and slightly inhibited by TMB-8. Amount of intracellular free Ca++ increased by either arachidonic acid plus verapamil or arachidonic acid plus dibucaine was greater than that by arachidonic acid alone. These results suggest that various changes of biochemical events may be implicated in the functional expression in neutrophils activated by arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid appears to elevate cytosolic free Ca++ level by stimulating Ca++ release from intracellular Ca++ storage sites. During activation of neutrophils, Ca++ influx and efflux may be accomplished, simultaneously.