Investigation of the relationships between plasma levels of ascorbate, vitamin E and β-carotene and the frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges and release of reactive oxidants by blood leucocytes from cigarette smoker

Abstract

In this study the frequencies of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) were controled with measurements of the release of reactive oxidants by phagocytes, as determined by luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (LECL), and levels of the anti-oxidants ascorbate, β-carotene and vitamine E in blood speciments taken from 65 young asymptomatic cigarette smokers. Increased SCE frequencies related with LECL responses ( p < 0.0075) of activated blood phagocytes. Anti-oxidant levels did not correlate with either LECL or SCEs. These findings indicated that increased generation of reactive oxidants by circulating phagocytes from cigarette smokers are associated cytogenetic changes.