Myeloperoxidase activity and whole blood chemiluminescence in bladder cancer--influence of smoking.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from 63 male bladder cancer patients do not differ from 65 cases of the control group in myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) nor in whole blood chemiluminescence response (CL). MPO activity increased in control smokers compared with the control nonsmokers (p < 0.05) and correlated significantly with cigarette consumption. CL response was also higher in control smokers (p < 0.05) than in control nonsmokers, and correlates significantly with the MPO activity. Both MPO and CL showed significant association with the increased number of peripheral blood PMNs. Although substantial evidence implicates oxygen free radicals, not only in chemical carcinogenesis, but also in the antitumor system (especially the myeloperoxidase system), we were unable to establish either an increase or a decrease in the axidant generating capacities in bladder cancer patients, although a trend towards a higher MPO and CL activity was observed in nonsmokers of this group. In conclusion, we found an enhanced oxidant-generating status of the smokers' PMNs, but its biological significance in carcinogenesis of the bladder remains to be established.