[The influence of tobacco smoking on homocysteine and glutathione levels in biological samples].

The aim of this paper was to examine the effect of tobacco smoking on the level of homocysteine and glutathione in biological samples. The study comprised 30 people, who qualified into two groups--subjects who never smoke the cigarettes (n = 10) and currently smoking (n = 20). Smoking habit were assessed by questionnaire. Cotinine (major metabolite of nicotine) was determined in urine using high-performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC) with ultraviolet detection. The biothiols: glutathione in reduced and oxidized forms and homocysteine were determined by HPLC method using coulometric electrochemical detection. The concentrations of total and free plasma homocysteine were higher in active smoker. Glutathione levels in both groups were comparable. Observed differences should be explained in the further experiment.