Smoke exposure and circulating progenitor cells: evidence for modulation of antioxidant enzymes and cell count.
BACKGROUND
Cigarette smoking is involved in vascular inflammation and impairment of circulating progenitor cells (CPCs), including endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). The study aim was to evaluate the redox balance of these cells in relation to smoking exposure.


METHODS
Circulating cells from 36 healthy smokers and 26 controls were isolated and identified by flow cytometry. ROS generation, mRNA and protein cell expression, and enzymatic activity of MnSOD, catalase, and GPx-1 were evaluated.


RESULTS
Smokers showed higher levels of CRP and fibrinogen and lower levels of HDL-C. ROS and MnSOD were higher (p<0.001), while catalase and GPx-1 were lower (p<0.001) as was EPC number (p<0.001) in smokers. CPC and EPC correlated with HDL-C, CRP, ROS and enzyme expression and activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that smoking exposure involves antioxidant enzymes in CPCs and EPCs and that the inflammatory response in smokers plays an important role in impairing cells and their antioxidant functions.
Mandraffino
Giuseppe
G
Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Sardo
Maria A
MA
Riggio
Stefania
S
D'Ascola
Angela
A
Loddo
Saverio
S
Alibrandi
Angela
A
Saitta
Carlo
C
Imbalzano
Egidio
E
Mandraffino
Rossella
R
Venza
Mario
M
Mormina
Enrico M
EM
David
Antonio
A
Saitta
Antonino
A
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002374:Catalase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012906:Smoke / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014026:Nicotiana; D000094765:Glutathione Peroxidase GPX1
D000975:Antioxidants; D009573:Nitrites; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012906:Smoke; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000094765:Glutathione Peroxidase GPX1