Investigation of the role of phagocytes and anti-oxidant nutrients in oxidant stress mediated by cigarette smoke.
Author
Theron AJ; Richards GA; Van Rensburg AJ; Van der Merwe CA; Anderson R
Address
Department of Immunology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Source
Int J Vitam Nutr Res, 60: 3, 1990, 261-6
Abstract
In this study we have correlated the plasma levels of the anti-oxidant vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene with smoking histories, the release of reactive oxidants from circulating phagocytes and spirometry in asymptomatic cigarette smokers. Smoking histories, the generation of reactive oxidants by activated phagocytes and spirometric abnormalities were strongly inter-correlated. However, plasma levels of the anti-oxidant nutrients did not correlate with any of the other measured parameters. These findings indicate that plasma levels of vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene are apparently not predictive of predisposition to oxidant-mediated-spirometric abnormalities in cigarette smokers.
Title
Investigation of the effects of oral administration of vitamin E and beta-carotene on the chemiluminescence responses and the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges in circulating leukocytes from cigarette smokers.
Author
Richards GA; Theron AJ; Van Rensburg CE; Van Rensburg AJ; Van der Merwe CA; Kuyl JM; Anderson R
Address
Department of Medicine, Coronation Hospital, Transv l, Republic of South Africa.
Source
Am Rev Respir Dis, 142: 3, 1990 Sep, 648-54
Abstract
Sixty asymptomatic cigarette smokers were randomly allocated into three treatment groups. Smokers in Group 1 received 900 international units of Vitamin E (VE) daily for 6 wk, whereas 40 mg of beta-carotene (BC) daily was administered to those in Group 2 for the same period. Subjects in Group 3 were treated with a matched placebo. Plasma levels of VE and BC as well as circulating leukocyte counts, sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), and the luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (LECL) responses of blood phagocytes activated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and FMLP with cytochalasin B (FMLP/CB) were measured prior to the administration of the antioxidant/placebo after 4 and 6 wk of supplementation and 12 wk after cessation of treatment. SCEs and leukocyte counts remained unchanged throughout the trial in all three treatment groups. Administration of VE for 4 wk was accompanied by decreased FMLP/CB-activated (p less than 0.005) and PMA-activated (p less than 0.005) LECL responses. However, with PMA as stimulant, the inhibition of LECL was transient, with partial recovery observed after 6 wk despite continued administration of VE. Administration of BC was associated with progressive inhibition of both FMLP/CB-activated (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01 after 4 and 6 wk, respectively) and PMA-activated (p less than 0.025 after 6 wk) LECL. No alterations in LECL responses were observed in Group 3 (placebo). VE appeared to inhibit the generation of oxidants by activated phagocytes, whereas BC scavenged oxidants generated by the myeloperoxidase/H2O2/halide system.
Title
Escherichia coli septicaemia and meningitis complicating a septic incomplete abortion [letter]
Author
Burch VC; Richards GA
Source
S Afr Med J, 79: 2, 1991 Jan 19, 109-10
Abstract
Abstract not available.
Title
Passive smoking by humans sensitizes circulating neutrophils.
Author
Anderson R; Theron AJ; Richards GA; Myer MS; van Rensburg AJ
Address
Department of Immunology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Source
Am Rev Respir Dis, 144: 3 Pt 1, 1991 Sep, 570-4
Abstract
The proinflammatory effects of passive inhalation of cigarette smoke were investigated by exposing a total of 16 healthy, young nonsmokers (mean age 29 /- 1.4 yr, 11 women and five men) to actively smoking individuals in a poorly-ventilated room. Neutrophil functions were measured before and after 3 h of exposure to cigarette smoke. Passive cigarette smoking was associated with increased leukocyte counts (mean increase 33%, p less than 0.005), chemotaxis (57%, p less than 0.001), and release of reactive oxidants (71%, p less than 0.005) by stimulated neutrophils. These results were confirmed in a second study designed to eliminate the possible complicating effects of serial venepuncture. Plasma concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 (IL-1) alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) were not affected by passive smoking. These results indicate that inhalation of sidestream tobacco smoke promotes systemic priming of neutrophils. These potentially proinflammatory events may induce oxidant-mediated tissue damage and carcinogenesis in the lungs of passive smokers.
Title
Functional improvement following thrombo-endarterectomy for chronic pulmonary thrombo-embolic disease. A case report.
Author
Richards GA; Girdwood RW
Address
Department of Medicine, Coronation Hospital, Johannesburg.
Source
S Afr J Surg, 30: 2, 1992 Jun, 50-1
Abstract
Pulmonary thrombo-endarterectomy for chronic pulmonary thrombo-embolic disease is an underutilised and potentially lifesaving therapeutic manoeuvre. This case study describes the functional improvement that can be attained by such a procedure.
Title
Thalassemia: lung function with reference to iron studies and reactive oxidant status.
Department of Pediatrics, Coronation Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Source
Pediatr Hematol Oncol, 10: 1, 1993 Jan-Mar, 13-23
Abstract
Pulmonary function tests were performed in 15 thalassemic patients (age 5 years 8 months to 18 years 6 months), receiving both regular transfusions and desferrioxamine, to determine the presence and nature of any abnormalities in lung function. Reactive oxidant production from neutrophils was measured simultaneously to ascertain if a causal relationship existed between free radical production and tissue damage in the lungs. Mean total lung capacity, mean residual volume, and mean forced vital capacity were significantly reduced, indicating a restrictive pattern of lung function abnormality. In addition, the carbon monoxide diffusion was low, and hypoxemia was present in 6 of 13 patients tested. These pulmonary function abnormalities did not correlate with age, cumulative volume of transfusion, or serum ferritin levels. In addition, neutrophil reactive oxidant status did not correlate with these or with pulmonary function parameters. These results indicate that neutrophil-derived oxygen free radicals do not appear to be a major cause of lung function abnormalities in thalassemics.
Title
Cigarette smoke-mediated oxidant stress, phagocytes, vitamin C, vitamin E, and tissue injury.
Author
van Antwerpen L; Theron AJ; Myer MS; Richards GA; Wolmarans L; Booysen U; van der Merwe CA; Sluis-Cremer GK; Anderson R
Address
Department of Immunology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Source
Ann N Y Acad Sci, 686:1993 May 28, 53-65
Abstract
Abstract not available.
Title
Investigation of the relative contributions of cigarette smoking and mineral dust exposure to activation of circulating phagocytes, alterations in plasma concentrations of vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene, and pulmonary dysfunction in South African gold miners.
Author
Theron AJ; Richards GA; Myer MS; van Antwerpen VL; Sluis-Cremer GK; Wolmarans L; van der Merwe CA; Anderson R
Address
Department of Immunology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Source
Occup Environ Med, 51: 8, 1994 Aug, 564-7
Abstract
OBJECTIVES--To determine the relative effects of cigarette smoking and mineral dust exposure on numbers and activity of circulating phagocytes, plasma nutritional antioxidant state, and pulmonary function in South African gold miners. METHODS--Pulmonary function was assessed spirometrically, whereas reactive oxidant generation by circulating phagocytes, and plasma concentrations of the nutritional antioxidative nutrients vitamin C and vitamin E and beta carotene were measured with chemiluminescence, spectrophotometry, or high performance liquid chromatography respectively. RESULTS--Cigarette smoking, but not mineral dust exposure, was associated with increased numbers and pro-oxidative activity of circulating neutrophils and monocytes, decreased plasma concentrations of vitamin C, and pulmonary dysfunction. DISCUSSION--In this study group occupational exposure to mineral dust has not been found to promote increases in the numbers or reactivity of circulating phagocytes or to be a significant cause of pulmonary dysfunction, the changes found being due primarily to cigarette smoking.
Title
Vitamin E, pulmonary functions, and phagocyte-mediated oxidative stress in smokers and nonsmokers.
Author
van Antwerpen VL; Theron AJ; Richards GA; Steenkamp KJ; van der Merwe CA; van der Walt R; Anderson R
Address
Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Source
Free Radic Biol Med, 18: 5, 1995 May, 935-41
Abstract
Relationships among the plasma levels of vitamin E (VE), the numbers and prooxidative activities of circulating phagocytes, serum alpha-1-protease inhibitor (API), and pulmonary functions were investigated in 83 asymptomatic male cigarette smokers and 65 nonsmoking controls. Plasma levels of VE, of cholesterol, and of API were measured using high performance liquid chromatography, spectrophotometry, and nephelometry, respectively, whereas reactive oxidant (ROS) generation by activated blood phagocytes was measured using a whole blood luciginen-enhanced chemiluminescence method. Smoking was associated with significantly increased circulating neutrophil counts (p 0.0001), serum API (p 0.0001) and phagocyte-derived ROS-generation (p 0.0001), and decreased spirometric values (FEV1: p 0.0138 and FEF25-75: p 0.0654). Plasma VE and cholesterol levels were not significantly different between smokers and nonsmokers. However, in smokers both plasma VE and cholesterol correlated significantly and positively with serum API (r 0.24, p 0.03 and r 0.30, p 0.005, respectively), neutrophil counts (r 0.24, p 0.03 and r 0.25, p 0.03, respectively), and phagocyte-derived ROS-generation (r 0.32, p 0.003 and r 0.32, p 0.003, respectively), and significantly and inversely with FEV1 (r -0.23, p 0.03 and r -0.22, p 0.04, respectively) and FEF25-75 (r -0.32, p 0.003 and r -0.26, p 0.02, respectively). In nonsmokers plasma VE, but not cholesterol, was positively correlated with FEV1 (r 0.34, p 0.007) and FEF25-75 (r 0.40, p 0.001). The results suggest that VE protects the lungs of both smokers and nonsmokers and may act as a mobilizable antioxidant in response to smoking-induced oxidative stress.
Title
Plasma levels of beta-carotene are inversely correlated with circulating neutrophil counts in young male cigarette smokers.
Author
Van Antwerpen VL; Theron AJ; Richards GA; Van der Merwe CA; Viljoen E; Van der Walt R; Anderson R
Address
Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pretoria, Republic of South Africa.
Source
Inflammation, 19: 4, 1995 Aug, 405-14
Abstract
Relationships between plasma levels of beta-carotene (BC) and the numbers and oxidant-generating activities of circulating neutrophils have been investigated in a group of asymptomatic young male cigarette smokers (N = 40) and in a group of nonsmoking control subjects. Plasma BC levels were measured using HPLC, while oxidant generation was measured using a phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) activated whole blood luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (LECL) method. Relative to nonsmokers, the numbers of circulating neutrophils, as well as the LECL responses of these cells, were increased by 41% (p = 0.0001) and 47% (p = 0.004), respectively, while plasma BC levels were decreased by 24% (p = 0.01). In cigarette smokers, but not in nonsmokers, the numbers of circulating neutrophils, as well as the LECL responses of these cells, were significantly and inversely correlated with plasma BC levels (r = -0.36, p = 0.02; and r = -0.33, P = 0.04 respectively). Diminished plasma levels of BC in cigarette smokers probably reflect the increased numbers and prooxidative activities of circulating neutrophils. Intake of this antioxidant nutrient may be a determinant of susceptibility to smoking-related pulmonary dysfunction mediated by oxidants derived from smoke-activated phagocytes
Title
Health effects of passive smoking in adolescent children.
Author
Richards GA; Terblanche AP; Theron AJ; Opperman L; Crowther G; Myer MS; Steenkamp KJ; Smith FC; Dowdeswell R; van der Merwe; CA; Stevens K; Anderson R
Address
Department of Medicine, Johannesburg Hospital.
Source
S Afr Med J, 86: 2, 1996 Feb, 143-7
Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN. To study the effects of passive smoking on health in adolescent schoolchildren by questionnaire, spirometry and laboratory investigations. SETTING. Two schools in the Vanderbijlpark area. PARTICIPANTS. Seven hundred and twenty-six high-school children of average age 16 years. OUTCOME MEASURES. Lung function, serological abnormality or historical (i.e. questionnaire) evidence of ill health. RESULTS. The prevalence of respiratory illness before and after 2 years, respiratory symptoms, earache over the past year, low birth weight and learning difficulties were found to be significantly increased in the children exposed to parenteral smoke in the home, especially those exposed to maternal smoking.Spirometric and laboratory parameters, however, were not affected by passive smoking.
