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

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.