Cigarette smoking stimulates lipoxygenase but not cyclooxygenase pathway in platelets.
Male rats were exposed to freshly generated cigarette smoke once daily for 4 to 8 weeks. Inhalation of smoke was verified by elevated level of carboxyhemoglobin. Arachidonate metabolism through lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways in platelets was determined. Cigarette smoking increased 12-lipoxygenase activity significantly without affecting the cyclooxygenase pathway. In view of platelet-leukocyte interactions and potent chemotactic activity of 12-HETE for aortic smooth muscle cell migration, increased 12-lipoxygenase activity may predispose individuals to atherosclerosis, thromboembolism and emphysema commonly found in smokers.
D000818:Animals; D001091:Arachidonate Lipoxygenases; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000201:enzymology*; D001835:Body Weight; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D008084:Lipoxygenase / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000097:blood*; D051381:Rats; D012907:Smoking
D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin; D001091:Arachidonate Lipoxygenases; D008084:Lipoxygenase; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases