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Immunological findings in cigarette smokers
P Moszczyński1, Z Zabiński, P Moszczyński
1Province Immunology Laboratory, Kościuszki 68, 32-800, Brzesko, Poland.
Toxicology Letters
|January 4, 2001
Summary
Cigarette smoking suppresses immunity, particularly in long-term smokers. Key immune markers like immunoglobulins, lysozyme, and natural killer (NK)-cells decrease, while T-cytotoxic cells increase, reducing the T-helper to T-cytotoxic ratio.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Cigarette smoking is a widespread habit with known adverse health effects.
- The impact of smoking on the human immune system requires further elucidation.
- Understanding these effects is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of cigarette smoking on specific immune indicators in men.
- To compare immune responses between smokers with different smoking durations and non-smokers.
Main Methods:
- Study included 116 men: 37 short-term smokers (≤10 yr), 39 long-term smokers (>10 yr), and 40 non-smokers.
- Assessed lymphocyte subsets (T-cells, B-cells, NK-cells), immunoglobulin levels (IgA, D, G, M), complement components (C3c, C4), and acute phase proteins.
- Calculated the ratio of T-helper (CD4+) to T-cytotoxic (CD8+) cells.
Main Results:
- Smokers showed reduced serum concentrations of immunoglobulins and lysozyme, more pronounced in long-term smokers.
- A decrease in the absolute number of natural killer (NK)-cells ((CD16+)) was observed in smokers.
- Elevated levels of T-cytotoxic ((CD8+)) lymphocytes led to a reduced CD4+/CD8+ ratio.
Conclusions:
- Cigarette smoke has a suppressive effect on human immunity.
- Long-term smoking significantly impairs immune function, indicated by decreased immunoglobulin and lysozyme levels.
- Alterations in T-cell subpopulations and NK-cell counts suggest a compromised immune defense in smokers.