Carbon dioxide is largely responsible for the acute inflammatory effects of tobacco smoke

Abstract

Tobacco smoking is responsible for a vast array of diseases, particularly chronic bronchitis and lung cancer. It is still unclear which constituent(s) of the smoke is responsible for its toxicity. The authors decided to focus on carbon dioxide, since its level of concentration in mainstream cigarette smoke is about 200 times higher than in the atmosphere. The authors previously demonstrated that inhalation of carbon dioxide concentrations above 5% has a deleterious effect on lungs. In this study, the authors assessed the inflammatory potential of carbon dioxide contained in cigarette smoke. Mice were exposed to cigarette smoke containing a high or reduced CO(2) level by filtration through a potassium hydroxyde solution. The inflammatory response was evaluated by histological analysis, protein phosphatase 2 A (PP2A) and nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation, and proinflammatory cytokine secretion measurements. The data show that the toxicity of cigarette smoke may be largely due to its high level of CO(2). Pulmonary injuries consequent to tobacco smoke inhalation observed by histology were greatly diminished when CO(2) was removed. Cigarette smoke exposure causes an inflammatory response characterized by PP2A and NF-kappaB activation followed by proinflammatory cytokine secretion. This inflammatory response was reduced when the cigarette smoke was filtered through a potassium hydroxide column, and reestablished when CO(2) was injected downstream from the filtration column.Given that there is an extensive literature linking a chronic inflammatory response to the major smoking-related diseases, these data suggest that carbon dioxide may play a key role in the causation of these diseases by tobacco smoking.

Research Opportunities Related to Establishing Standards for Tobacco Products Under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

“…This work is impeded, for example, by the lack of perfect animal models of cigarette smoke inhalation, yet it is critical for our understanding of pertinent regulatory approaches. Some major constituents such as CO 2 , seemingly innocuous, may have been overlooked (Schwartz et al, 2010).…”

Response to oxidative stress induced by high light and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the biodiesel producer model Nannochloropsis salina (Ochrophyta, Eustigmatales)

“…For other types of cells, for example for human neutrophils, increases in CO 2 concentration (from 1 to 10%) are known to affect several cellular reactions, leading, for example, to increased intracellular oxidative stress by means of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Coakley et al 2002, Abolhassani et al 2009, Schwartz et al 2010, Visca et al 2002, Karsten et al 2009). For microalgae, only a recent publication has evaluated ROS production related to an increase in CO 2 concentration.…”

“…In addition, the effect of CO 2 is species dependent, since elevated CO 2 levels accompanied with high light induced photo-inhibition in sensitive species like Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, but not in CO 2 tolerant species like Chlorella pyrenoidosa (Yang & Gao 2003). Therefore, current evidence strongly suggests that high CO 2 adaptation is a complex process involving adjustment of numerous functions of microalgal cells and with several mechanisms specific for each microalgae.For other types of cells, for example for human neutrophils, increases in CO 2 concentration (from 1 to 10%) are known to affect several cellular reactions, leading, for example, to increased intracellular oxidative stress by means of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Coakley et al 2002, Abolhassani et al 2009, Schwartz et al 2010, Visca et al 2002, Karsten et al 2009). For microalgae, only a recent publication has evaluated ROS production related to an increase in CO 2 concentration.…”

Densidade De Carbono Em Cigarros Consumidos No Brasil

“…É grande a preocupação com a saúde humana, pois o fumo causa uma vasta gama de doenças, particularmente bronquite crônica e câncer de pulmão (SCHWARTZ et al, 2010). De outro lado cresce o alerta sobre os impactos ambientais da fumicultura, entre os quais estão o desflorestamento, a perda de biodiversidade, uso intenso de pesticidas, poluição da água, geração de resíduos sólidos e contaminação atmosférica.…”