QUITTING SMOKING RAISES WHOLE-BLOOD GLUTATHIONE

Cigarette smoke contains numerous oxygen free radicals that may be imp ortant in smoking-related disease pathogenesis. These free radicals ma y overwhelm antioxidant defenses and produce a condition of oxidative stress that can result in damage to DNA and other cellular components. This study investigated whether or not indications of harmful oxidati ve stress decline following smoking cessation. Changes in whole blood glutathione (GSH), an index of oxidative stress level, were determined for 30 cigarette smokers who participated in an experimental smoking- cessation program. Measurements were taken during ad lib smoking and 3 weeks after smoking cessation. In 22 individuals who were continuousl y abstinent for 3 weeks, GSH levels rose significantly following smoki ng cessation, from 5.0 to 6.1 mu mol/g Hb (p < 0.001). Individuals wit h the lowest GSH levels during ad Lib smoking showed the greatest incr eases following cessation. Results suggest that oxidative stress and f ree-radical damage diminish soon after smoking cessation. Thus, some s ignificant health benefits may appear rapidly when people quit smoking . Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Inc.