Increased production of hydrogen peroxide by peripheral blood monocytes associated with smoking exposure intensity in smokers.

Background: Smoking is known to be associated with oxidative stress; however, it has not been elucidated whether the oxidative response is influenced by the intensity of smoking exposure.

Objectives: Evaluate the effect of smoking exposure on the secretion of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by the peripheral blood monocytes of smokers.

Methods: A total of 25 smokers (50.

Effects of active smoking on airway and systemic inflammation profiles in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: The markers that characterize local and systemic inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remain unclear, as do their correlations with smoking status and presence of disease. The aim of this study was to assess markers of inflammation in the peripheral blood and airways of current smokers without COPD, of current smokers with COPD and of ex-smokers with COPD.

Methods: In this study, 17 current smokers with COPD (mean age: 58.

Smoking status and tumor necrosis factor-alpha mediated systemic inflammation in COPD patients.

Background: Smoking cause airway and systemic inflammation and COPD patients present low grade inflammation in peripheral blood. However, data on the influence of smoking itself on systemic inflammation in COPD patients are scarce. This study investigated the association between inflammation, smoking status, and disease.