title: Cigarette smoking influences cytokine production and antioxidant defences.
abstract: 1. Smoking exerts an inflammatory stimulus on lung macrophages, and smokers generally have low intakes of antioxidant micronutrients. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between whole-blood tumour necrosis factor production, plasma interleukin-6 and acute-phase protein concentration and antioxidant vitamins in smokers and non-smokers. 2. Measurement of tumour necrosis factor was conducted in whole blood stimulated with endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide), and interleukin-6 concentrations were measured in the plasma of smokers and non-smokers. Enzyme and dietary antioxidant concentrations and acute-phase proteins were determined in the two groups. 3. Tumour necrosis factor production and plasma interleukin-6 concentrations were 38% (P = 0.01) and 16% (P = 0.07) greater, respectively, in smokers than in non-smokers. Plasma vitamin A and E concentrations were unaffected by smoking; however, a 21% lower plasma vitamin C (P = 0.04) concentration was observed in smokers, than in non-smokers despite a similar intake of this vitamin by the two groups. 4. Concentrations of the acute-phase proteins alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, caeruloplasmin and alpha 2-macroglobulin were increased in the plasma of smokers compared with non-smokers by 39%, 28% and 12% respectively (P < 0.01). Our studies indicate that smokers have a compromised antioxidant status and elevated concentrations of tumour necrosis factor and interleukin-6 as a consequence of smoking. 5. These observations may provide some insight into the biological mechanisms underlying the pathology associated with smoking.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutrition, University of Southampton, U.K.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Tappia
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Troughton
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Langley-Evans
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Grimble
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood; D002570:Ceruloplasmin / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009961:Orosomucoid / Q000378:metabolism; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D000975:Antioxidants; D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D009961:Orosomucoid; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins; D002570:Ceruloplasmin; D001205:Ascorbic Acid