Isoprostanes quickly normalize after quitting cigarette smoking in healthyadults

Background: Isoprostanes and in particular 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) have been cla imed as a useful measure for in-vivo oxidation injury. While smokers show e levated 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) the behaviour during quitting smoking is unknown . Methods and results: We determined 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) in 7 healthy adults r eady to quit smoking in plasma, serum and urine by means of an enzyme immun oassay, after extraction and purification before quitting smoking and durin g a follow-up period of 4 weeks. After quitting smoking, 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) shows a rapid decline within a few days almost completely normalizing with in 4 weeks. Conclusion: The cigarette-smoking associated in-vivo oxidation injury almos t completely disappears within 4 weeks of quitting smoking.