TITLE:
Serum myeloperoxidase level is increased in heavy smokers
AUTHORS:
André B. Martins, Valdecir F. Ximenes, Luiz Marcos da Fonseca
KEYWORDS:
Smokers; Neutrophils; IL-8;Myeloperoxidase; Hypochlorous Acid; Atherosclerosis
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Clinical Diagnostics,
Vol.3 No.1,
March
20,
2013
ABSTRACT: Raised myeloperoxidase (MPO) serum levels are associated with endothelial dysfunction and cigarette smoking is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Since myocardial infarction is associated with leukocytosis and smokers present increased levels of neutrophils, here we hypothesized that the levels of serum MPO in smokers could be also raised. We carried out a study on sixty eight adult healthy volunteers. The control group consisted of thirty four non-smokers and the test group was thirty four heavy smokers. The hemogram, interleukin-8 (IL-8) and MPO serum levels were measured. Neutrophil, monocyte and lymphocyte counts were higher (p