Effects of smoking on plasma and erythrocyte antioxidant defense systems

J Toxicol Environ Health A. 1999 Mar 26;56(6):373-8. doi: 10.1080/009841099157962.

Abstract

In this study, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) enzymes were measured in the erythrocytes, and levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and antioxidant potential (AOP) values were measured in both erythrocyte and plasma samples from smokerS and nonsmokers. No significant differences were observed in erythrocyte parameters, serum triglycerides, and total cholesterol. AOP was significantly lower and TBARS level higher in the plasma samples from smokers compared with those of nonsmokers. Results suggest that smoking causes no impairment in the enzymatic antioxidant defense system and does not lead to oxidant stress in the erythrocytes, possibly because these cells have potent antioxidant defense capacity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antioxidants / metabolism*
  • Catalase / blood*
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Erythrocytes / enzymology*
  • Fasting
  • Female
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / blood*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Smoking / blood*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / blood*
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / metabolism
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
  • Triglycerides
  • Cholesterol
  • Catalase
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase