Journal of Reproductive Immunology 79 (2008) 63–69 Effect of normal and preeclamptic plasma on superoxide-anion production of neutrophils from healthy non-pregnant women Rudolf Lamp´ e a,∗ , S´ andor Sz ˝ ucs b , M´ ark Ormos a ,R´ oza ´ Ad´ any b , Robert P ´ oka a a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Nagyerdei krt. 98, Debrecen 4012, Hungary b Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Hungary Received 31 January 2008; received in revised form 11 March 2008; accepted 14 April 2008 Abstract This study has examined whether production of superoxide-anion by granulocytes differs between non-pregnant, healthy pregnant and preeclamptic pregnant women. First, we assessed superoxide-anion production in 13 non-pregnant women, 11 healthy pregnant women and 14 preeclamptic pregnant women. Then, we examined the effect of plasma samples of healthy pregnant and preeclamptic pregnant women on superoxide production by neutrophils separated from healthy pregnant women. Superoxide generation was measured by ferricytochrome-c reduction. Phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate- and n-formyl–methionyl–leucyl–phenylalanine-stimulated superoxide-anion production was significantly decreased in healthy pregnant women’s granulocytes compared with non-pregnant women. There was no significant difference between granulocyte superoxide-anion production in preeclamptic pregnant and non- pregnant women. When neutrophils from non-pregnant women were incubated in plasma from healthy pregnant women, the granulocyte phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate-stimulated superoxide-anion production was significantly inhibited. With the same stimulator, there were no significant differences between superoxide-anion production of neutrophils incubated in autologous, non-pregnant and preeclamptic pregnant plasma. If n-formyl–methionyl–leucyl–phenylalanine was used for stimulation, there were no significant differences in the superoxide-anion production of granulocytes in either group. Granulocyte superoxide-anion production decreases during pregnancy; this decrease does not occur in preeclampsia, and may cause endothelial damage. It is conceivable that there are unidentified factors in maternal circulation which inhibit superoxide-anion production by granulocytes in healthy pregnant women. © 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Granulocytes; Superoxide-anion; Plasma factors 1. Introduction Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific multisystem disorder in a previously healthy woman, defined by increased blood pressure and proteinuria presenting after 20 weeks of gestation (Davey and MacGillivray, 1988). It is characterized by an abnormal vascular response to ∗ Corresponding author. Tel.: +36 52 417144; fax: +36 52 417171. E-mail address: rudolflampe@msn.com (R. Lamp´ e). placentation resulting in mild to severe maternal hyper- tension, proteinuria, enhanced platelet aggregation and activation of the blood coagulation system (Sibai et al., 2005). Preeclampsia is a state of oxidative stress aris- ing from increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mainly that of superoxide-anion (O 2 - ) (Zamudio et al., 2007). Most of the O 2 - is gener- ated by activated neutrophils and monocytes which can lead to oxidative damage of biomolecules and endothe- lial cells, such as lipid peroxidation and endothelial 0165-0378/$ – see front matter © 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jri.2008.04.001