[Quantitative changes in leukotriene B4 release in neutrophilic leukocytes activated by Ca ionophore during pregnancy--normal pregnancy and preeclampsia].

The amount of Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) released from neutrophilic leukocyte activated by calcium ionophore was measured to examine neutrophilic functions regarding the changes during normal pregnancy and differences between normal pregnant women and preeclamptic women. In addition, we examined the arachidonic acid (AA) content and fatty acid composition of neutrophilic phospholipid in normal pregnant women. In a normal pregnancy, the amount of LTB4 released decreased significantly with gestation. In preeclamptic women, the amount of LTB4 released was significantly higher than that in normal pregnant women, but there was no significant difference from non-pregnant women. Normal pregnant women showed a significantly decreased AA content with gestation. Regarding other fatty acids, as to fatty acid composition, there was increased saturated fatty acid and decreased unsaturated fatty acid with gestation. The results suggested that the LTB4 released was inhibited more in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women, and pregnant women also had decreased AA content. In addition, changes in fatty acid compositions showed signs of decreased fluidity of the cell membrane. This phenomenon is thought to be due to a mechanism to inhibiting the activation of neutrophilic leukocytes accompanied by a decrease in the amount of LTB4 released. Conversely, no similar inhibition was observed in preeclamptic women, and the failure of this mechanism seemed to contribute to the development of preeclampsia.