Articles

EICOSANOID PRODUCTION AND LYMPHATIC RESPONSIVENESS IN HUMAN CIGARETTE SMOKERS COMPARED WITH NON-SMOKERS

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Abstract

Leg lymphatic segments were isolated from 10 patients (4 cigarette smokers and 6 nonsmokers) undergoing conventional lymphography. Prostaglandin (PG) levels and PG synthesis in the lymphatics and in a variety of body fluids and the effects of eicosanoids on lymphatic contractility were determined. Leg lymphatics from 4 smokers generated less PGI₂ and contained more 8-epi-PGF_2α when compared with leg lymphatics in 6 non-smokers. Similarly, levels of 8-epi-PGF_2α in smokers compared with non-smokers were higher in plasma (28.6 cf 19.7 pg/ml),leg lymph (146.7 cf 65.3 pg/ml), serum (299.0 cf 204.1 pg/ml), and urine (473.4 cf 241.0 pg/mg creatinine). Lymphatics from smokers also showed a higher contractile response, less ¹⁴C-arachidonic acid conversion to PGI₂ and less PGI₂-formation with various stimuli compared with non-smokers. Together these findings suggest that smoking induces oxidation injury, promotes altered (iso-)eicosanoid production and impacts on the function and dysfunction of peripheral lymphatics under normal circumstances and in a variety of clinical disorders.

How to Cite:

Sinzinger, H., Kaliman, J. & Oguogho, A., (2000) “EICOSANOID PRODUCTION AND LYMPHATIC RESPONSIVENESS IN HUMAN CIGARETTE SMOKERS COMPARED WITH NON-SMOKERS”, Lymphology 33(1), 24-31.