Cigarette smoking directly toxic to endothelial cells

PHARMACOLOGY

Smoking cigarettes directly damages endothelial cells, according to UK researchers. Their findings provide a possible mechanism for the established association between smoking and atherosclerosis.

Dr Andrt:w Blann and Dr Charles McCollum of University Hospital, Manchester, found that serum levels of von Wille brand factor, a specific product of the endothelium, were significantly higher in smokers (1.13 kIUIL) than in nonsmoking controls (0.81 kIUIL), and were correlated with duration of smoking, current consumption of cigarettes, and age of the smokers.

In a second experiment, levels of von Willebrand factor in smokers' serum also increased signifi­cantly immediately after they smoked 2 cigarettes. This serum showed increased cytotoxicity on endo­thelial cells (from umbilical cord veins) in vitro. which subsequently returned to baseline levels.

The smoking markers nicotine and thiocyanate were not cytotoxic to endothelial cells in vitro at levels found in heavy smokers. Blann AD. McCollum eN. Adverse influence of cigarette smoking on the endothelium. Thrombosis and Haemostasis 70: 707-711. 18 Oct 1993 10002130.3

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INPHARMA"20 Nov 1993