Stage-related superoxide anion production of granulocytes of gynecologic cancer patients

Objective: To measure superoxide anion production of polymorphonuclear leuk ocytes (PMNLs) in 58 gynecologic cancer patients and compare to that of hea lthy controls. Methods: PMNLs were separated from peripheral blood samples by Ficoll and subsequent Percoll gradient sedimentation. Baseline and phorb ol-dibutyrate (100 nmol/l) stimulated superoxide anion production was measu red spectrophotometrically as superoxide dismutase inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome c (50 mu mol/l) absorbance. Differences between the mean s uperoxide anion production of different patient groups and the control grou p were assessed by Student's t-test. Results: The mean superoxide anion pro duction of PMNLs of healthy controls was 1.855 nM/min/3.10(5) cells (SD=0.2 11 nM/min/3.10(5) cells). Superoxide anion production of gynecologic cancer patients and healthy controls varied in a wide range. PMNLs of patients ha d lower baseline and stimulated activity than those of healthy volunteers. The frequency of a mean superoxide production at least 2XSD below the contr ol showed a parallel increase with advancing stage. Conclusion: Granulocyte s of gynecologic cancer patients have reduced capacity and inducibility of superoxide anion production already at an early stage of disease. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.