EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN PASSIVE SMOKERS

摘要

Chronic exposure of human body to tobacco smoke environment induces oxidative stress in cells as a consequence of oxidative reactions by increasing the production of oxygen-free radicals. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of passive smoking on antioxidant status in adults. In accordance with their physiological role, erythrocytes are continuously exposed to oxidative stress. Analysis of oxidative susceptibility in the exposed erythrocytes to tobacco smoke was assessed by measurement of erythrocytic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-peroxidase, in 50 adult passive smokers, compared with non-smokers. In case of chronic exposures (more than 15 years) in environment with tobacco smoke, the results of erythrocytic superoxide dismutase indicates an adaptive response of the organism to the oxidative stress, which is considered to be antioxidant-defense response, induced by altering the gene expression of SOD from the stem cells. Significantly increasing of erythrocyte SOD is associated with lower-level glutathione peroxidase activity in passive smokers compared to non-smokers. Our research results reveal the fact that chronic exposure to tobacco smoke environment generates biochemical imbalance in erythrocytic antioxidant defense, providing a protective adaptive mechanism at cellular and sub-cellular levels.