Levels of hemoglobin and lipid peroxidation metabolites in blood, catalase activity in erythrocytes and peak expiratory flow rate in subjects with passive exposure to tobacco smoke.
BACKGROUND
Exposure to tobacco smoke is an extremely important risk factor determining the development of respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Passive exposure is common and often not realized by the exposed subjects. Markers of tobacco smoke exposure are nicotine metabolites, i.e. cotinine and trans-3'-hydroxycotinine.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to assess the level of passive exposure to tobacco smoke among students and the exposure impact on the blood hemoglobin level, peak expiratory flow (PEF), lipid peroxidation level and antioxidant enzyme activity.


METHODS
A total of 104 subjects were enrolled in the study. The subjects were categorized in 3 subgroups depending on nicotine metabolite levels in blood (subgroup I with metabolite level > 100 ng/ml (high exposure); subgroup II with the metabolite level of 10-100 ng/ml; subgroup III with metabolite level <10 ng/ml). The blood hemoglobin level, PEF, levels of lipid peroxidation metabolites--malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal (MDA + 4-HNE) and catalase (CAT) activity were determined in all the subjects.


RESULTS
The study showed statistically significant differences in levels of lipid peroxidation metabolites and CAT activity. Levels of MDA + 4-HNE were higher in subgroup I than in subgroup II or III (I: 3.84 +/- 1.64 mmol/l; II: 2.25 +/- 0.94 mmol/l; III: 1.90 +/- 0.82 mmol/l; pI-II < 0.01; pI-III <0.001). CAT activity was statistically significantly lower in subgroup I than in subgroup III (I: 0.38 +/- 0.01 x 10(6) IU/g hemoglobin [Hb]; II: 0.38 +/- 0.03 x 10(6) IU/g Hb; III: 0.41 +/- 0.04 x 10(6) IU/g Hb; pI-III <0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Passive exposure to tobacco smoke in the study population of students is common. The observed effects of passive exposure to tobacco smoke are similar to those of active smoking. It is postulated to undertake actions aiming at limiting passive exposure to tobacco smoke.
Zawadzki
Marcin
M
Department of Hygiene, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland.
Gać
Paweł
P
Poreba
Rafał
R
Murawska-Ciałowicz
Eugenia
E
Wielkoszyński
Tomasz
T
Januszewska
Lidia
L
Pawlas
Krystyna
K
Andrzejak
Ryszard
R
D000328:Adult; D000447:Aldehydes / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood*; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011044:Poland; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D055815:Young Adult
D000447:Aldehydes; D015415:Biomarkers; D006454:Hemoglobins; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; C027576:4-hydroxy-2-nonenal