[Enzymatic reactivity of neutrophils in tobacco smokers]

Activity of 8 enzymes in neutrophils of tobacco smokers was assayed with histochemical semiquantitative technique. An increase in the activity of acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase was found in the short period of tobacco smoking lasting 6.5 years on the average. Low activity of beta-glucuronidase, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, non-specific alpha-naphtolesterase and LAP was found in the individuals smoking tobacco for 18.5 years. The authors suggest that carcinogenic action of the tobacco smoke is also related to the disorders in neutrophils enzymes activity.