Stage-related superoxide anion production of granulocytes of gynecologic cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
To measure superoxide anion production of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) in 58 gynecologic cancer patients and compare to that of healthy controls.


METHODS
PMNLs were separated from peripheral blood samples by Ficoll and subsequent Percoll gradient sedimentation. Baseline and phorbol-dibutyrate (100 nmol/l) stimulated superoxide anion production was measured spectrophotometrically as superoxide dismutase inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome c (50 micromol/l) absorbance. Differences between the mean superoxide anion production of different patient groups and the control group were assessed by Student's t-test.


RESULTS
The mean superoxide anion production of PMNLs of healthy controls was 1.855 nM/min/3 x 10(5) cells (SD=0.211 nM/min/3 x 10(5) cells). Superoxide anion production of gynecologic cancer patients and healthy controls varied in a wide range. PMNLs of patients had lower baseline and stimulated activity than those of healthy volunteers. The frequency of a mean superoxide production at least 2 x SD below the control showed a parallel increase with advancing stage.


CONCLUSIONS
Granulocytes of gynecologic cancer patients have reduced capacity and inducibility of superoxide anion production already at an early stage of disease.
Póka
R
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical School of Debrecen, Hungary. pokar@obgyn.dote.hu
Szûcs
S
S
Adány
R
R
Szikszay
E
E
D000838:Anions; D003574:Cytochrome c Group / Q000378:metabolism; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D015240:Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate / Q000494:pharmacology; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000494:pharmacology; D013481:Superoxides / Q000097:blood*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology
D000838:Anions; D003574:Cytochrome c Group; D013481:Superoxides; D015240:Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase