Increase of isoprostane 8-epi-PGF2α after restarting smoking

Isoprostanes are known as reliable markers of in vivo oxidation injury. Cigarette smoking has been shown to be associated with a significant increase in 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha), a major member of this family of compounds. Quitting smoking reduces 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) values to normal within a couple of weeks only. In this follow-up we checked the 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha), values in plasma, serum and urine in 28 people who restarted smoking after a quitting attempt of various duration. 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) shows a certain increase after restarting smoking reaching a maximum after already 1 week. Continuation of smoking does not significantly further increase 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha). These data indicate a fast response of restarting as on quitting smoking on in vivo oxidation injury. The oxidation injury reflected by 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) may be a key pathogenetic mechanism in smoking-induced vascular injury. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.