Tobacco smoking decreases plasma concentration of the emerging cardiovascular risk marker, L-homoarginine.

Background: Tobacco smoking is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and few biomarkers have been linked to the increased risk of CVD and tobacco smoking. Tobacco smoke has been shown to elevate the plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), a metabolite of L-arginine and an endogenous inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. The other potential biomarker that has not been studied to date is L-homoarginine, a homolog of L-arginine.

Effect of occupational lead exposure on α- and γ-tocopherol concentration in plasma.

Objectives: Changes in enzymatic antioxidant activity are frequently observed in workers occupationally exposed to lead. Few studies have investigated the influence of lead on the non-enzymatic antioxidant system. The aim of our study was to assess the influence of occupational exposure to lead on the plasma concentration of two hydrophobic forms of vitamin E: α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol.