Figure 3. Decreased PMA-induced reactive oxygen species production in CD macrophages.

NADPH oxidase activity was assessed by measuring the generation of H₂O₂ by macrophages from HC and CD subjects after stimulation with 1 µg/ml PMA. A Production of H₂O₂ (nM/h) was elevated after PMA stimulation in both HC (n = 29) and CD (n = 47) groups. Macrophages from CD patients demonstrated reduced H₂O₂ release than HC. B H₂O₂ levels were determined after HC macrophages (n = 4) pre-incubated with 2.5 mM N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) for 1 h followed by PMA stimulation. The presence of NAC resulted in reduced H₂O₂ levels. C DNA fragmentation and D mitochondrial membrane potential were unaltered by the presence of NAC. Statistical analysis: Paired or unpaired t-test. Symbols: p<0.05 (*), p<0.01 (**), p<0.001 (***), HC (black bars), CD (white bars).