Nicotine effects on alveolar macrophage respiration and adenosine triphosphatase activity

Combined effect of smoking habits and occupational exposure to hard metal on total IgE antibodies

A survey was made within a population of workers (n = 706) exposed to hard metal dust (an alloy including cobalt), an agent known to cause occupational allergy. Twenty-seven (4 percent) of 733 workers were eliminated from consideration in this study because of atopic status identified prior to starting work in the plant. Using a Phadebas PRIST, the subjects' total IgE levels were determined and related to their smoking and exposure status. Nonexposed male smokers (n = 135) had a higher geometric mean IgE level (39.7 IU/ml) than did nonexposed subjects who had never smoked (33.1 IU/ml; n = 99); those with a higher Brinkman index (greater than 300), a smoking index obtained by multiplying the number of cigarettes per day by the duration of smoking in years, had significantly (p less than 0.05) decreased IgE levels. Although ex-smokers (n = 72) had a higher geometric mean IgE level (73.3 IU/ml) than did those who had never smoked, their serum IgE level declined with age since the time they quit smoking, regardless of their hard metal exposure status. Hard metal (cobalt) exposure may play a significant role as an adjuvant in the production of total IgE. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that hard metal exposure and a smoking habit together arithmetically (p less than 0.05) increased total IgE levels. These two factors may be preventable risk factors for occupational allergy in hard metal workers.

Immunoglobulin E pattern in cigarette smokers

Serum IgE levels in healthy blood donors who had no history of atopy were measured by a paper-disc RIA and analyzed according to the donors' smoking habits. The IgE geometric mean for regular smokers was 41.7 IU/ml, which was significantly higher than that for nonsmokers (19.3 IU/ml) or rare smokers (22.7 IU/ml). Whereas 28% of smokers had IgE levels greater than 200 IU/ml, none of the rare smokers or nonsmokers did. IgE levels in smokers showed a moderate inverse correlation with the degree of smoking. The mean IgE level was 189.8 IU/ml in those who smoked 1-9 cigarettes/day but only 32.8 IU/ml in those who smoked 10-19 cigarettes per day and 11.1 IU/ml in those who smoked 20 or more cigarettes/day. The number of years a person smoked did not seem to significantly influence the IgE level. The mean IgE level in ex-smokers (50.5 IU/ml) was much lower than in current light smokers but was still higher than in nonsmokers. There was a moderate inverse correlation between IgE levels and duration of cessation of smoking. Our data suggest a characteristic pattern for the influence of cigarette smoking on serum IgE level, namely, a striking rise associated with light smoking and a remarkable drop in heavy smokers, and such changes seemed reversible after the habit was stopped. Smoking status, therefore, appears to be an important consideration in interpreting serum IgE levels and in revising the "norms" of IgE levels.

In vitro toxicity of tobacco smoke solutions to rabbit alveolar macrophages

The biological activity of various cigarette smokes has been assessed by treating cell cultures of rabbit alveolar macrophages with salt solutions of "whole smoke," smoke "vapor phase," and smoke "particulate phase." The results of these tests revealed degrees of toxicity that varied in accordance with the smoke treatment used. Further, these differences in toxicity were statistically significant at the 95% confidence limit. Observations of changes in cell morphology on exposure to the smoke solutions indicated smoke toxicity to be caused, in part, interference with cell membrane activity.

The effect of tobacco smoke condensate on the growth and longevity of human diploid fibroblasts

Human embryonic diploid lung fibroblasts were exposed to various fractions of cigarette smoke condensate over their in vitro life-time. Most fractions were toxic at a concentration of 50 microgram/ml, with the exception of the strong acid and one water soluble basic fraction, which stimulated growth and increased longevity significantly at this concentration. Most fractions produced no effect on cell growth at 10 microgram/ml, with the exception of another basic fraction which inhibited growth at 1 microgram/ml. Nicotine had no apparent effect on growth and longevity at 50 microgram/ml. The neutral fraction containing the polynuclear hydrocarbon carcinogens produced normal growth and longevity at 10 microgram/ml. No cell transformations were observed.

The effects of smoking on the lungs

The literature relating to tobacco smoking has been reviewed and is discussed under a number of headings. The smoking habits of Australians and people of other countries, the constituents of tobacco smoke and the different types of tobacco are discussed. The effects of tobacco smoke on lung defences and and function are outlined and the evidence relating cigarette smoking to lung cancer in Australia, the UK and the USA is reviewed. The relationship between cigarette smoking and diseases which chronic air flow obstruction is outlined. Differences in smoking-related diseases in males and females and the effects of stopping smoking are included in the discussion.