Platelet monoamine oxidase activity and cigarette smoking.
Platelet MAO activity and plasma thiocyanate concentrations were determined in 72 normal volunteers (22 non-smokers and 50 smokers). Thiocyanate concentrations were used as an index of exposure to cigarette smoke. A significant negative correlation between MAO and thiocyanate concentration was observed for the group (rs = 0.35; P less than 0.005). When examined by sex, the correlation was significant for females but not for males. Mean MAO activity was significantly lower for female smokers than for female non-smokers. For males, no significant differences in MAO activity were observed between smokers and non-smokers. It is possible that smoking causes inhibition of MAO by a direct effect or by indirect effects such as altering hormone levels. Alternatively women with a low MAO activity have a greater innate tendency to smoke.
D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000097:blood*; D012907:Smoking; D013861:Thiocyanates / Q000097:blood
D013861:Thiocyanates; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase