PLASMA COPPER AND LIPID-PEROXIDATION IN CIGARETTE SMOKERS

Plasma levels of copper and lipid peroxidation were evaluated in 14 sm okers as compared to 14 nonsmokers. Plasma copper concentrations were higher in smokers than in nonsmokers (122.5 +/- 19.15 vs. 101.5 +/- 16 .2 mu g/dl, P < .01). Plasma lipoperoxidation, evaluated as fluorescen t damage products of lipid peroxidation (FDPL), also was higher in smo kers than in nonsmokers (20.35 +/- 2.6 vs. 17.1 +/- 2.95 units of rela tive fluorescence/ml, P < .01). A significant and positive correlation between the number of cigarettes smoked, expressed as pack years, and the levels of either FDPL (r = .61, P < .025) or copper (r = .55, P < .05) was found. Moreover, a significant and positive relationship bet ween copper and FDPL values was observed in smokers (r = .64; P < .025 ), but not in nonsmokers. These data indicate that cigarette smoke-rel ated plasma oxidant load may be partly due to enhanced levels of the p rooxidant metal copper, potentially suggesting the supplementation of specific antioxidants (e.g., zinc) to counteract cigarette smoke-induc ed oxidative stress in smokers.