Mechanism of Oxidative Broncho-Epithelial Cell Damage with Reference to Gas Phase Cigarette Smoke

Tobacco smoke contains many thousands of chemicals including a large number of carcinogens. The exposure of human tissues and organs to these carcinogens and their metabolism in relation to smoking-related cancer has been reviewed. The assault on DNA and RNA as well as other cellular components by the ROS is the base for oxidation. Free radicals (ROS) are implicated in chemical carcinogenesis via various metabolic pathways. The participation of free radicals in tobacco smoke in the process of carcinogenesis is mainly due to the effect of oxidative substances on the signal transduction pathways which lead to the cell replication by transforming the signaling proteins. However, the exact mechanism through which free radicals function in this process is not completely understood.