REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES FORMATION IN PERIPHERAL-BLOOD NEUTROPHILS IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF SMOKERS

The present study was envisaged to assess the state of oxidative metab olism of neutrophils, recovered from smokers (cigarette, beedi, hookah and mixed products) and non-smokers, Superoxide anion (O-2(.-) produc tion was significantly higher in neutrophils from all groups of smoker s (P < 0.001), Total leukocyte count (TLC) was significantly more in s ymptomatic subjects among the cigarette, hookah and mixed smokers (P < 0.05). Total neutrophil count (TNC) was significantly higher in sympt omatic than asymptomatic subjects of hookah and mixed smoking groups ( P < 0.05), In the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseas e (COPD)) in tobacco smokers, the role of leukocytosis, increased neut rophil sequestration into the lung, increased neutrophil toxic oxygen species including superoxide release in the lung may cause direct inju ry to lung tissues.