Products of 5-lipoxygenase and myeloperoxidase activities are increased in young male cigarette smokers

Free Radic Res. 2012 Oct;46(10):1230-7. doi: 10.3109/10715762.2012.701291. Epub 2012 Jul 4.

Abstract

The significance of 5-lipoxygenase and myeloperoxidase activities has not been extensively studied among young male smokers. Leukotriene B(4), 20-hydroxy-leukotriene B(4), 20-carboxy-leukotriene B(4) and 3-chlorotyrosine were measured in plasma and urinary samples of young male smokers at 8 hours following cigarette abstinence and an hour after cigarette smoking. Leukotriene B(4) and 3-chlorotyrosine were determined in neutrophils isolated from these individuals. The levels of these markers were compared with those of age-matched controls. In vitro studies were performed to evaluate the production of leukotriene B(4) and 3-chlorotyrosine from human neutrophils following exposure to nicotine and cotinine. Thirty male smokers (mean age, 27.4 years) and 28 male non-smokers (mean age, 28.7 years) were studied. Plasma levels of leukotriene B(4), 20-carboxy-leukotriene B(4) and 3-chlorotyrosine were higher in smokers than in non-smokers; leukotriene B(4) and 20-carboxy-leukotriene B(4) levels increased further an hour after cigarette smoking. Peripheral neutrophils isolated from smokers showed greater expressions of myeloperoxidase and 5-lipoxygenase activities compared with non-smokers, while plasma leukotriene B(4) and 3-chlorotyrosine were correlated significantly with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and plasma nicotine concentrations. Exposure of human neutrophils to nicotine and cotinine resulted in a higher production of leukotriene B(4) and 3-chlorotyrosine. To conclude, leukotriene B(4) and 3-chlorotyrosine levels are increased in young male cigarette smokers. These results suggest that cigarette smoking aggravates neutrophil-mediated inflammation by modulating the activities of myeloperoxidase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase / metabolism*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Humans
  • Leukotriene B4 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Neutrophils / enzymology
  • Neutrophils / pathology
  • Peroxidase / metabolism*
  • Smoking / blood
  • Smoking / metabolism*
  • Smoking / urine
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Leukotriene B4
  • Peroxidase
  • Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase