s Passive Smoking, Endothelial Dysfunction and Related Markers in Healthy Individuals: An Update

By the analysis of previous studies, functional and biochemical markers related to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure are discussed. 18 healthy never smokers, 12 men (67%) and 6 women (33%) aged from 21 to 55 years (mean: 34+/-9 ys.) underwent experimental procedures twice. in a smoking free environment and in the same environment polluted by 35 ppm carbon monoxide derived from smoked cigarettes. Brachial artery ultrasonography, exercise stress testing, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) monitoring, and carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) concentrations were examined. Five markers related to ETS exposure of healthy individuals could be demonstrated: l. Impaired FMD as an effect of endothelial dysfunction, 2. Transient increase in systolic BP; 3. HR increase; 4. Diminished tolerance to exercise; 5. Increased COHb blood concentrations. Some of these feel the effects of sympathetic stimulation induced by both nicotine and carbon monoxide. Since both active and passive smoking are believed to be a chemical toxicosis, avoiding ETS exposure of healthy nonsmokers must be a categorical imperative.