• S B Guatura, J A Martinez, P C Santos Bueno, and M L Santos.
• Pulmonary Division, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
• Sao Paulo Med J. 2000 Jul 6; 118 (4): 939893-8.

ContextIncreased hydrogen peroxide has been described in the expired breath condensate (H2O2-E) of several lung conditions, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. This technique has been advocated as being a simple method for documenting airway inflammation.ObjectiveTo evaluate H2O2-E in healthy cigarette smokers, and to determine the acute effects of the consumption of one cigarette on H2O2-E levels.Type Of StudyProspective, controlled trial.SettingA pulmonary function laboratory in a University Hospital.ParticipantsTwo groups of healthy volunteers: individuals who had never smoked (NS; n=10; 4 men; age = 30.6 +/- 6.2 years) and current cigarette smokers (S; n=12; 7 men; age = 38.7 +/- 9.8). None of the volunteers had respiratory symptoms and all showed normal spirometric tests.InterventionExpired air was collected from all volunteers through a face mask and a plastic collecting system leading into a flask with dry ice and pure ethanol. Samples from the group S were collected twice, before and half an hour after the combustion of one cigarette.Main MeasurementsExpired hydrogen peroxide using the Gallati and Pracht method.ResultsThe S and NS groups showed comparable levels of H2O2-E at basal conditions [NS = 0.74 microM (DP 0.24) vs. S = 0.75 microM (DP 0.31)]. The smokers showed a significant increase in H2O2-E levels half an hour after the consumption of only one cigarette [0.75 microM (DP 0.31) vs. 0. 95 microM (DP 0.22)].ConclusionThe present results are consistent with the concept that smokers increase oxidative stress with elevated production of reactive oxygen species, contributing to the development of smoking-related disorders.

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