Reversible inhibition of mitochondrial complex IV activity in PBMC following acute smoking

Smoking causes a decrease of mitochondrial complex IV activity in chronic smokers. However, it is not known if this toxic effect is due to the acute effect of cigarette smoke itself or is a secondary phenomenon related to other smoking factors. The study assessed mitochondrial respiratory chain function in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 15 healthy nonsmoker individuals before smoking (t0), immediately after smoking five cigarettes in 45 min (t1) and 24 h later (t2). Blood carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) and carbon monoxide concentrations in exhaled air (COEA) were determined to ascertain smoke inhalation status. After acute smoking, COHb increased from 0.5 +/- 0.3% to 3.3 +/- 1.5%, and COEA from 2.9 +/- 2.5 to 26.1 +/- 9.9 ppm. Complex II and III enzyme activities did not change along the study. Complex IV activity showed a 23% inhibition at t1 but returned to initial (to) levels at t2. A decay in oxygen consumption was observed after the correction for mitochondrial content. Lipid peroxidation of cell membranes remained unchanged. Short-time smoking causes an acute and reversible mitochondrial complex IV inhibition in human mononuclear cells. These results suggest that smoke itself is one of the causes for the decrease of complex IV activity observed in chronic smokers.