Investigation of the role of phagocytes and anti-oxidant nutrients in oxidant stress mediated by cigarette smoke.

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.