Anti- and pro-oxidant factors and endothelial dysfunction in chronic cigarette smokers with coronary heart disease

Abstract Background Endothelial dysfunction in cigarette smokers has been ascribed to increased oxidative damage. The aims of the present study were to compare the endothelial function of normotensive smokers with that of non-smokers and to examine its relation to some parameters representative of oxidative damage and of antioxidant capacity. Methods We investigated 32 chronic smokers (15–30 cigarettes daily) affected by coronary heart disease, ranging from acute myocardial infarction to instable angina pectoris, and 28 matched non-smokers without any definite risk factors. All subjects underwent assessment of nitric oxide (NO)-dependent endothelial function, measured as brachial artery vasodilatation in response to reactive ischemia, using a standardized echographic method. Plasma and urinary levels of NO were also measured in all subjects, as were urinary 15-isoprostane F 2t , plasma serum lipids, homocysteine (Hcy), ascorbic acid, retinol, tocopherol, and alpha- and beta-carotene (by high-performance liquid chromatography). Results Smokers showed a significantly lower NO-mediated vasodilatation response (3.50% vs. 6.18%, p 2t . They also had higher levels of Hcy ( p r  = − 0.512, p Conclusions The present study shows a clear relation between endothelial dysfunction (NO production impairment) and cigarette smoking, especially in the presence of high levels of LDL-cholesterol. It also defines some markers of both oxidative damage and antioxidant protective capacity in this condition. The monitoring of these factors may be advisable in order to assess the amount of endothelial damage.