Development and validation of novel digitalized cervicography system

OBJECTIVE: Digital cervicography systems would be expected to reduce the costs of film cervicography, and provide the opportunity for "telemedicine-based" screening. We aimed to develop web-based digital cervicography system, and validate it compared with conventional film cervicography. METHODS: A hundred cases from five centers were prospectively included, and cervical images (analogue, digitalized by scanning analogue, and digital) were taken separately using both analogue (Cerviscope) and digital camera (Dr. Cervicam) in each patient. Nine specialists evaluated the three kinds of images of each case with time interval between evaluations of each image. To validate novel digitalized system, we analyzed intra-observer variance among evaluation results of three kinds of images. RESULTS: Sixty-three cases were finally analyzed after excluding technically defective cases that cannot be evaluable on analogue images. The generalized kappa for analogue versus digital image was 0.83, for analogue versus scanned image 0.72, and for digital versus scanned image was 0.71; all were in excellent consensus. CONCLUSION: Digitalized cervicography system can be substituted for the film cervicography very reliably, and can be used as a promising telemedicine tool for cervical cancer screening.

Protective effects of green tea polyphenol against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

OBJECTIVE: This study is to compare the effects of green tea polyphenol (GTP) pre-treatment with those of GTP post-treatment on cisplatin (CP)-induced nephrotoxicity in rat. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups. Animals in the control group received 0.9% saline (intraperitoneal); animals in the GTP group received 0.9% saline and GTP (0.2% GTP as their sole source of drinking water); the CP group received only CP (7 mg/kg, intraperitoneal); the CP+preGTP group received GTP from two days before CP to four days after CP and the CP+postGTP group received GTP for four days after CP. CP-induced renal toxicity was evaluated by plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations; kidney tissue gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) activities and histopathological examinations. RESULTS: High serume creatinine and BUN concentrations were observed in CP treated rats. The GGT and AP activites were lower in kidney of CP treated rats compared to control rats. In addition, treatment with CP resulted in development of a marked tubular necrosis, and tubular dilation in kidney of rats. Pretreatment with GTP resulted in markedly reduced elevation of serum creatinine and BUN amounts and changes of GGT and AP activity in kidney induced by CP. CP-induced histopathological changes, including tubular necrosis and dilation, were ameliorated in GTP pre-treated rats, compared to CP alone or GTP post-treated rats. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that GTP might have some protective effect against CP-induced nephrotoxicity in rat, and GTP pre-treatment was more effective than GTP post-treatment on reduction of CP-induced renal dysfunction.

Breast diseases during pregnancy and lactation

Breast is a typical female sexual physiologic organ that is influenced by steroid hormone from menarche until menopause. Therefore various diseases can be developed by continuous action of estrogen and progesterone. Breast diseases are mainly categorized as benign and malignant. It is very important to distinguish the malignancy from breast diseases. However, it is very difficult to diagnose malignancy in pregnant and lactating women even though the same breast diseases took place. Therefore, we will review breast diseases such as breast carcinoma during pregnancy and lactation.

Photodynamic therapy for breast cancer in a BALB/c mouse model / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used for superficial neoplasms and its usage has been recently extended to deeper lesions. The purpose of this study was to observe whether or not PDT can cure breast cancer in the solid tumor model, and to define the critical point of laser amount for killing the cancer cells. METHODS: Twenty four BALB/c mouse models with subcutaneous EMT6 mammary carcinomas were prepared. Mice were divided into eight groups depending on the amount of illumination, and the tumor size was between 8 mm and 10 mm. We began by peritoneal infiltration with a photosensitizer 48 hours prior to applying the laser light, and then we applied a non-thermal laser light. The energy was from 350 J/cm2 to 30 J/cm2 to the cancer. RESULTS: Regardless of the tumor size from 8 mm to 10 mm, all mice apparently showed positive results via PDT. We also did not find any recurrence over 90 J/cm2. In all models, the color of the breast cancer lesions began to vary to dark on 2 days post PDT and the tumor regression began simultaneously. Also, we confirmed the complete regression of the breast cancer 21 days after PDT. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that PDT may treat breast cancers that are sized less 10 mm in mouse models. The moderate energy to destruct the breast cancer cells may be 90 J/cm2. Therefore, we can expcect that PDT may be utilized to treat breast cancer, but we need more experience, skills and processing for clinical trials.

Serum selenium level in healthy Koreans.

Of trace elements in the serum of living organisms, selenium (Se) is an essential mineral and plays the role of an antioxidant as selenoproteins protecting the organism against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide, other lipid hydroperoxides, and their derivatives. The aim of this study was to determine the mean serum Se levels in healthy Korean volunteers (50 males and 50 females) by using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry method. The samples were collected at the Health Promotion Centre of Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, the Catholic University of Korea, Kangnam District, Seoul in accordance with procedures approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Catholic University of Korea. The mean serum Se level in healthy subjects was 112.05 +/- 30.42 microg/l. For gender, it was 120.81 +/- 27.37 microg/l for females and 103.29 +/- 31.05 microg/l for males. From the study result, there was a significant difference between the mean Se concentrations of gender groups (p = 0.0035). Also, the study indicated no effect of age on Se levels (p > 0.05) in the healthy individuals.

A case of neutrophilia related to a cytokine-producing relapsed squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix arising from the rectovaginal septum / 부인종양

Paraneoplastic neutrophilia caused by a squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix has been seen rarely. We report a case of relapsed squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix with severe neutrophilia, rapid tumor growth and aggressive clinical course, possibly due to autocrine stimulation of cell growth by G-CSF and IL-6 without other possible causes of neutrophilia.

TRAIL-induced cell death and caspase-8 activation are inhibited by cisplatin but not carboplatin / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: Platinum (Pt) based drugs including cisplatin and carboplatin are widely used as anticancer drugs in various human cancers. Many studies have shown that chemotherapeutic agents synergistically enhance cell death induced by death ligands. However it has been recently reported that cisplatin may inhibit tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced cell death through inactivation of caspases. Thus, we investigated whether carboplatin also inhibits TRAIL-induced cell death. METHODS: HeLa cells were treated with TRAIL in the presence of cisplatin or carboplatin, and cell death was analyzed using the crystal violet staining method. Caspase activation was checked through detection of Bid cleavage by Western blotting using anti-Bid antibody. RESULTS: Cisplatin inhibits TRAIL-induced cell death in HeLa cells; however, carboplatin enhanced TRAIL-induced cell death. Whereas cisplatin inhibited caspase-8-mediated Bid cleavage, carboplatin had no effect on caspase-8 activity. CONCLUSION: Although cisplatin and carboplatin are platinum-containing cancer therapeutic agents, they have the opposite effects on TRAIL-induced cell death.

The efficacy of sonographic morphology indexing and serum CA-125 for preoperative differentiation of malignant from benign ovarian tumors in patients after operation with ovarian tumors / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of sonographic morphology indexing (MI) system and serum CA-125 levels in the assessment of the malignancy risk in patients with ovarian tumors. METHODS: From September 2000 to July 2006, 202 patients who underwent surgery for ovarian tumors were reviewed retrospectively. In all patients, the MI score and serum CA-125 level were measured preoperatively. The association of the final pathologic diagnosis with the MI score and serum CA-125 level were examined. RESULTS: There were 26 malignant tumors out of 141 ovarian tumors with a MI > or =5 (18%). With a cut-off value of 5, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of MI scores were 0.743, 0.293, 0.181, and 0.845, respectively. There were 22 malignant tumors out of 54 ovarian tumors with serum CA-125 >30 u/ml (41%). With a cut-off value of 30 u/ml, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of serum CA-125 level were 0.667, 0.808, 0.407, and NPV 0.925, respectively. On ROC curve, the optimal cut-off value of MI score was 6.5-7.5 and that of serum CA-125 level was 25.6-28.5 u/ml. With a cut-off value of 7, the sensitivity and 1-specificity of MI score were 0.875-0.917 and 0.023-0.203, respectively. After the exclusion of teratoma cases, the sensitivity and 1-specificity of MI score were 0.875-0.917 and 0.046-0.138, respectively. With a cut-off value of 25.6-28.5 u/ml, the sensitivity and 1-specificity of serum CA-125 level were 0.958 and 0.203-0.215, respectively. CONCLUSION: The sonographic MI system is an accurate and simple method to differentiate a malignant tumor from a benign ovarian tumor. The accuracy of the sonographic MI system improved when the serum CA-125 level was considered and ovarian teratomas were excluded.

The efficacy of sonographic morphology indexing and serum CA-125 for preoperative differentiation of malignant from benign ovarian tumors in patients after operation with ovarian tumors / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of sonographic morphology indexing (MI) system and serum CA-125 levels in the assessment of the malignancy risk in patients with ovarian tumors. METHODS: From September 2000 to July 2006, 202 patients who underwent surgery for ovarian tumors were reviewed retrospectively. In all patients, the MI score and serum CA-125 level were measured preoperatively. The association of the final pathologic diagnosis with the MI score and serum CA-125 level were examined. RESULTS: There were 26 malignant tumors out of 141 ovarian tumors with a MI > or =5 (18%). With a cut-off value of 5, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of MI scores were 0.743, 0.293, 0.181, and 0.845, respectively. There were 22 malignant tumors out of 54 ovarian tumors with serum CA-125 >30 u/ml (41%). With a cut-off value of 30 u/ml, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of serum CA-125 level were 0.667, 0.808, 0.407, and NPV 0.925, respectively. On ROC curve, the optimal cut-off value of MI score was 6.5-7.5 and that of serum CA-125 level was 25.6-28.5 u/ml. With a cut-off value of 7, the sensitivity and 1-specificity of MI score were 0.875-0.917 and 0.023-0.203, respectively. After the exclusion of teratoma cases, the sensitivity and 1-specificity of MI score were 0.875-0.917 and 0.046-0.138, respectively. With a cut-off value of 25.6-28.5 u/ml, the sensitivity and 1-specificity of serum CA-125 level were 0.958 and 0.203-0.215, respectively. CONCLUSION: The sonographic MI system is an accurate and simple method to differentiate a malignant tumor from a benign ovarian tumor. The accuracy of the sonographic MI system improved when the serum CA-125 level was considered and ovarian teratomas were excluded.

The comparative evaluation of clinical screening in combined tests cytology (ThinPrep(R)), HPV DNA test (Hybrid capture(R) II),cervicography for uterine cervical cancer / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: Since the accuracy of Pap smear for cervical neoplasm has been questioned, a number of adjunctive tests have been developed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate which protocol is the most effective screening test among cervical cytology (ThinPrep(R)), HPV DNA test (Hybrid capture(R) II) and cervicography. METHODS: We chose 252 patients who were underwent the biopsy among 829 patients who visited our hospital for cervical cancer screening test. These 252 patients were engaged in this study simultaneously. They underwent triple combined test [cervical cytology (ThinPrep(R)), HPV DNA test (Hybrid capture(R) II), cervicography] and colposcopic-directed biopsy or biopsy on operation for diagnostic evaluation. RESULTS: The triple combined test showed a sensitivity of 96.0%, while double combined test [cervical cytology (ThinPrep(R))+cervicography] showed a sensitivity of 89.0%, the other double combined test [cervical cytology (ThinPrep(R))+HPV DNA test (Hybrid capture(R) II)] showed a sensitivity of 86.7%. Cervicography showed a specificity of 75.4% (highest among the single test), positive predictability of 89.8% (also highest). CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of cervical cytology was markedly improved by combination with HPV DNA test and cervicography. So the triple combined tests which improved the high false negative rate of cervical cytology may be a new effective method as a cervical cancer screening test, if the effectiveness could be confirmed by mass screening study.

Laparoscopic Burch Colposuspension with the Choi's Hook / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Burch operation has been effective method for the treatment of stress incontinence. Burch operation is a well-accepted procedure for treating stress urinary incontinence secondary to urethral hypermobility without intrinsic sphincter deficiency and is the reference standard with which other procedures are compared. This study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Choi's hook in laparoscopic Burch operation. METHODS: This study included 47 patients who had undergone laparoscopic Burch operation from October 2000 through March 2005. Of these 47 patients, 27 patients underwent traditional laparoscopic Burch operation (Group 1) and 20 patients underwent laparoscopic Burch operation with Choi's Hook on anchoring the endopelvic fascia to the Cooper's ligament (Group 2). RESULTS: The mean age of patients of Group 1 was 55.6+/-9.37 years of age and that of Group 2 was 56.0+/-5.93 years of age. There is no difference in the mean age of patients (P>0.05). The mean operating time was 90.5+/-15.32 minutes for Group 1 and 38.5+/-10.14 minute for Group 2. The mean operating time was shorter in Group 2 than Group 1 (P0.05). CONCLUSION: We performed laparoscopic Burch operation with the Choi's Hook on anchoring the endopelvic fascia to the Cooper's ligament. When we compared traditional laparoscopic Burch operation with laparoscopic Burch operation with Choi's Hook, we could shorten the operation time using the Choi's Hook.

The Effect of Green Tea Extract on Cisplatin in Cervical Cancer Cell Lines / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Green tea polyphenol (GTP) has been shown to have anti-tumor properties in a wide variety of experimental systems. In this study, we evaluated the effects of GTP on the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin in cultured HeLa and SiHa cells. METHODS: The cell lines from Korean Cell Culture Bank were cultured in a RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with a 10% fetal bovine serum, antibiotics streptomycin and penicillin. GTP was extracted from tea leaves (Camellia scinensis) by water extraction and organic solvent fractionation. Cells were seeded at 1 x 10(4) cells/well in RPMI1640 media in triplicate wells on a Nunc Labware 96 well flat bottom microculture plate, with and without GTP (100 microgram/mL) and at different concentrations of cisplatin (0-1000 microgram/mL). After incubating the plates at 37 degrees C in 5% CO2 for 2 days, cell viability was determined using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide; thiazolyl blue] assay. RESULTS: The viability of the HeLa cells was decreased to 14% at a 600 microgram/mL concentration of cisplatin, and to 16% at 600 microgram/mL in the SiHa cells as measured by the MTT assay. However, in the HeLa cell, co-cultured with GTP (100 microgram/mL), the cell viability decreased to 68% at 200 microgram/mL of cisplatin and to 17% at 400 microgram/mL of cisplatin. And in the SiHa cell, co-cultured with GTP (100 microgram/mL), the cell viability decreased to 48% at 200 microgram/mL of cisplatin and to 17% at 400 microgram/mL of cisplatin. CONCLUSION: This study showed that cisplatin with GTP seems to have a potentiating effect on Cisplatin cytotoxicity than cisplatin alone.

A case of treatment using high-dose Megestrol Acetate (Megace(R)) combined with PDT (Photodynamic Therapy) on early stage of endometrial carcinoma, in nulliparous woman / 대한산부인과학회지

Endometrial carcinoma is predominantly a disease of postmenopausal women, so we don't have to consider fertility. But in case of young women who want to preserve their fertility, it is very difficult to approach. We experienced one case of treatment using high-dose Megestrol Acetate (Megace(R)) combined with PDT (Photodynamic Therapy) on early stage of endometrial carcinoma, in young aged woman who wanted to preserve her fertility. And, we described briefly clinicopathologic findings, reviews of literatures and possibility of combined therapy with Megestrol and PDT.

Adenosine 5'-triphosphate induced NF-kappa B and intracellular calcium mobilization in cervical cancer cells / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To know the effect of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) on intracellular calcium level and cell proliferation in cervical cancer cells. METHODS: Study design: Four different human cervical cancer cell lines (Caski, C33A, HeLaS3 and SiHa) were used in this study. The change of intracellular calcium level, cell proliferation and the activity of proliferation- and calcium-related transcription factors by extracellular ATP were examined in these cell lines. RESULTS: Extracellular ATP induced calcium mobilization, cell proliferation and the activation of NF-kappa B in all cell lines used. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that calcium mobilization and NF-kappa B dependent signaling pathway play an important role in the cell proliferation by ATP in cervical cancer.

Activity of Green Tea Polyphenol Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Against Ovarian Carcinoma Cell Lines / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: A constituent of green tea, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), is known to possess anti-cancer properties. In this study, the time-course of the anticancer effects of EGCG on human ovarian cancer cells were investigated to provide insights into the molecular-level understanding of the growth suppression mechanism involved in EGCG-mediated apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three human ovarian cancer cell lines (p53 negative, SKOV-3 cells; mutant type p53, OVCAR-3 cells; and wild type p53, PA-1 cells) were used. The effect of EGCG treatment was studied via a cell count assay, cell cycle analysis, FACS, Western blot and macroarray assay. RESULTS: EGCG exerts a significant role in suppressing ovarian cancer cell growth, showed dose dependent growth inhibitory effects in each cell line and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. The cell cycle was arrested at the G1 phase by EGCG in SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells. In contrast, the cell cycle was arrested in the G1/S phase in PA-1 cells. EGCG differentially regulated the expression of genes and proteins (Bax, p21, Retinoblastoma, cyclin D1, CDK4 and Bcl-XL) more than 2 fold, showing a possible gene regulatory role for EGCG. The continual expression in p21WAF1 suggests that EGCG acts in the same way with p53 proteins to facilitate apoptosis after EGCG treatment. Bax, PCNA and Bcl-X are also important in EGCG-mediated apoptosis. In contrast, CDK4 and Rb are not important in ovarian cancer cell growth inhibition. CONCLUSION: EGCG can inhibit ovarian cancer cell growth through the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, as well as in the regulation of cell cycle related proteins. Therefore, EGCG-mediated apoptosis could be applied to an advanced strategy in the development of a potential drug against ovarian cancer.

Photodynamic Effects of Radachlorin(R) on Cervical Cancer Cells / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a novel treatment modality, which produces local tissue necrosis with laser light following the prior administration of a photosensitizing agent. Radachlorin(R) has recently been shown to be a promising PDT sensitizer. In order to elucidate the antitumor effects of PDT using Radachlorin(R) on cervical cancer, growth inhibition studies on a HPV-associated tumor cell line, TC-1 cells in vitro and animals with an established TC-1 tumor in vivo were determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TC-1 tumor cells were exposed to various concentrations of Radachlorin(R) and PDT, with irradiation of 12.5 or 25 J/cm2 at an irradiance of 20 mW/cm2 using a Won-PDT D662 laser at 662 nm in vitro. C57BL/6 mice with TC-1 tumor were injected with Radachlorin(R) via different routes and treated with PDTin vivo. A growth suppression study was then used to evaluate the effects at various time points after PDT. RESULTS: The results showed that irradiation of TC-1 tumor cells in the presence of Radachlorin(R) induced significant cell growth inhibition. Animals with established TC-1 tumors exhibited significantly smaller tumor sizes over time when treated with Radachlorin(R) and irradiation. CONCLUSION: PDT after the application of Radachlorin(R) appears to be effective against TC-1 tumors both in vitro and in vivo.

The Effects of Glutathione on Human Cancer Cells before and after the Application of Cisplatin / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the time-dependant effects of Glutathione on the Cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity of human cervical carcinoma cells. METHODS: Two human cervical carcinoma cells, SiHa (squamous cell carcinoma cell), and CaSki (epidermoid metastatic carcinoma cell) were cultivated with RPMI1640 media. Reduced glutathione (GSH) and 2-oxo 4-thiazolidine carboxylic acid (OTC) were added one hour before and after Cisplatin (2-50 micro M/ml) was applied. The cells were incubated an additional 24 hours and viable cells were examined using a 3-[4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. RESULTS: The MTT reduction rate of cisplatin-treated cervical carcinoma cells was increased significantly by the addition of glutathione (5 mM) or OTC (5 mM) both one hour before and after Cisplatin. A difference between MTT reduction rates one hour before and after cisplatin were not observed in either GSH or OTC. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that GSH and OTC have a protective effect on cisplatin-induced toxicity, and that this effect is about the same whether the agents were applied before or after the Cisplatin.

Epidemiologic Study of Preterm Birth in Chosun University Hospital / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change of prognosis of the preterm infants delivered in Chosun University Hospital. METHODS: A study was conducted for 236 newborns who were born at Chosun University hospital from January 1. 2000 to December 31, 2002. The data were collected by review of the hospital record. RESULTS: 1) The survival rate of the preterm infants who weigh below 999 gm was 2% and 68.4% in 1,000-1,499 gm of infants 90.9% in 1,500-1,999 gm of infants and 92.7% in 2,000-2,499 gm of infants respectively. 2) The survival rate of the preterm infants who born 25% at 25-26 weeks, 50% at 27-28 weeks, 80% at 29-30 weeks, 88.2% at 31-32 weeks, 94.4% at 33-34 weeks and 95% after 35 wks respectively. 3) The cause of preterm delivery were premature rupture of membranes (41.7%), preterm labor (23.7%), pregnancy induced hypertension (10.9%), multiple pregnancy (8.3%) etc. 4) The perinatal complications of the preterm infants were hyperbilirubinemia (27.5%), respiratory distress syndrome (24.2%), sepsis (11.4%) etc. CONCLUSION: To increase the survival rates of preterm infants, the preterm labor should be controlled by 27 week's gestation and the birth weight of 1,000 gm minimally.

Comparative Analysis of Multiplex PCR and Hybrid Capture System in the Detecttion of Human Papillomavirus in the Uterine Cervix / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To compare the multiplex-PCR and hybrid capture methods for detection of Human papillomavirus (HPV) in uterine cervical swab samples. METHODS: This study determined the HPV infection and its risk group (subtype) in uterine cervical swab samples of 91 Korean women by HPV hybrid capture I and multiplex-PCR method. RESULTS: The prevalence of HPV infection determined by muliplex-PCR was more higher than by hybrid capture method I. Of 65 women with nonspecific uterine cervical lesions, the frequence of HPV-positivity was 14/65 (12 low-risk and 2 high-risk HPV) by hybrid capture method I and was 37/65 (34 low-risk and 3 high- risk HPV) by multiplex-PCR method, respectively. The frequence of high-risk HPV was 2/6 in LSIL, 7/14 in HSIL, 4/6 in uterine cervical cancer by hybrid capture method I, and was 2/6 in LSIL, 8/14 in HSIL, 4/6 in uterine cervical cancer by multiplex-PCR method. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that multiplex-PCR is more sensitive, simple and cost-effective technique than Hybrid-capture I in the detection of HPV infection in the uterine cervix.

The Changes of Superoxide Dismutase Isozymes in the Placenta of Patients with Preeclampsia / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was investigated whether changes of superoxide dismutase isozymes in the placenta of patients with preeclampsia contribute to radical-induced tissue injury. METHODS: The activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx)) and the contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in the erythrocytes and in the placenta were assayed from 35 women with preclampsia and 35 normotensive pregnant women. RESULTS: The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly reduced in the erhtyrocytes and the placenta of patients with pre-eclampsia compared with normotensive pregnant women. The activity of catalase was increased in the erythrocytes of patients with preeclampsia but the statistically significant difference of catalase activity in the placenta and GSHPx activity in both erythrocytes and placenta were not observed. The contents of TBARS were increased significantly in the erythrocytes and placenta of patients with preeclampsia. In preeclamptic placenta, copper and zinc containing superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) was decreased (3.9+/-0.5 vs 5.1+/-0.6 U/mg protein) whereas manganeus containing superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) was increased (2.0+/-0.3 vs 2.7+/-0.4 U/mg protein). CONCLUSION: In these results, the decreased CuZn-SOD activity may some roles in increment of TBARS contents in pre-eclamptic placenta and decreased CuZn-SOD activity may be more prone to oxidative stress in the placenta.