Effect of smoking one cigarette on antioxidant metabolites in the saliva of healthy smokers

Concentrations of glutathione, uric acid and total antioxidant activity, ex pressed as Trolox (a water-soluble vitamin E analogue) equivalent, were mea sured in the saliva of healthy non-smokers and smokers before and just afte r smoking a single cigarette. There was no statistically significant differ ence between smokers and non-smokers in uric acid concentrations and total radical-trapping antioxidant capacity, but glutathione concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in smokers. Smoking of a single cigarette i nduced a significant reduction in glutathione concentration (p < 0.05). Sal ivary antioxidant power may affect individual sensitivity toward tobacco st ress. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.