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PMID: 3007083 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Free-radical chemistry of cigarette smoke and its toxicological implications.

Environmental health perspectives ·Vol. 64 ·1985-12-00 ·Pages 111-26

Church DF, Pryor WA

Abstract

Cigarette smoke contains two very different populations of free radicals, one in the tar and one in the gas phase. The tar phase contains several relatively stable free radicals; we have identified the principal radical as a quinone/hydroquinone (Q/QH2) complex held in the tarry matrix. We suggest that this Q/QH2 polymer is an active redox system that is capable of reducing molecular oxygen to produce superoxide, eventually leading to hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals. In addition, we have shown that the principal radical in tar reacts with DNA in vitro, possibly by covalent binding. The gas phase of cigarette smoke contains small oxygen- and carbon-centered radicals that are much more reactive than are the tar-phase radicals. These gas-phase radicals do not arise in the flame, but rather are produced in a steady state by the oxidation of NO to NO2, which then reacts with reactive species in smoke such as isoprene. We suggest that these radicals and the metastable products derived from these radical reactions may be responsible for the inactivation of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor by fresh smoke. Cigarette smoke oxidizes thiols to disulfides; we suggest the active oxidants are NO and NO2. The effects of smoke on lipid peroxidation are complex, and this is discussed. We also discuss the toxicological implications for the radicals in smoke in terms of a number of radical-mediated disease processes, including emphysema and cancer.

MeSH Terms
Blood Proteins/metabolism Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy Free Radicals Humans Kinetics Lipid Peroxides Mutation Neoplasms/etiology Protease Inhibitors/metabolism Smoke/adverse effects,analysis Smoking Sulfhydryl Compounds Tars/analysis alpha 1-Antitrypsin
Chemicals
Blood Proteins Free Radicals Lipid Peroxides Protease Inhibitors Smoke Sulfhydryl Compounds Tars alpha 1-Antitrypsin
Authors & Affiliations
2 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Church D F
Pryor W A
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49 references, click to expand
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Article Info
Journal
Environmental health perspectives
Abbr.
Environ Health Perspect
ISSN
0091-6765
DOI
10.1289/ehp.8564111
Published
1985-12-00
Pages
111-26
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
0330411
PMCID
PMC1568603
Subset
IM
Grants
NHLBI NIH HHS · HL-25820 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1289/ehp.8564111 PMC Full Text View journal details
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