title: Disruption in Th1/Th2 immune response in young adult smokers.
abstract: Interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-10 cytokines, measures of Th1 and Th2 immunity, were examined in 20 healthy nonsmokers (12 males, 8 females) and 19 smokers (11 males, 8 females), aged 19-41 years (23.46+/-0.82 years). Nonsmokers came to the laboratory once; smokers came to the laboratory after ad lib smoking and following 24-h smoking abstinence. Salivary cotinine and expired CO confirmed smoking status. Plasma was collected at the end of each lab session and assayed for peripheral IFN-gamma and IL-10 levels. Among smokers, peripheral IFN-gamma, IL-10, or IFN-gamma/IL-10 ratio levels did not change in response to 24-h smoking abstinence. IFN-gamma levels and IFN-gamma/IL-10 ratios were higher among female smokers while smoking and following 24-h abstinence compared to male smokers in both conditions and compared to male and female nonsmokers. There was no sex or smoking status difference in IL-10 levels. Results suggest that cigarette smoking may have at least short-term damaging effects on the body's normal immune balance, particularly for women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Health, 315 East Health and Human Development Building, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
authors.forename: Courtney A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Whetzel
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Corwin
authors.forename: Laura Cousino
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001944:Breath Tests; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003367:Cotinine / Q000097:blood; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000276:immunology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016753:Interleukin-10; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D003367:Cotinine