Alterations of neutrophils function by tobacco products may play a central role in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases and several smoking related systemic diseases. The aim of the study was to assess a response of peripheral blood neutrophils unstimulated and stimulated by prodigiosan to smoking.
Materials and methods: The study included 17 smoking men that addressed for treatment of various odontological problems to out patient department of Kaunas University Clinic. The subjects were 22-43 years of age and systemic diseases free. All subjects answered to questions about smoking habits. To assess the response of neutrophils (unstimulated and stimulated by prodigiosan) to smoking the chemiluminescence and nitroblue tetrazolium test were used to measure their oxidative metabolism.
Results: After smoking both neutrophils unstimulated and stimulated with prodigiosan showed considerable extracellular chemiluminescence responses, but the first one reached maximal value in 45 min, while the second one in 15 min after smoking. There was no total (intra and extracellular) chemiluminescence response of neutrophils unstimulated and stimulated by prodigiosan to smoking. Neutrophils exposed to smoking showed a significant increase in their nitroblue tetrazolium reduction.
Conclusion: Both stimulated by prodigiosan and unstimulated peripheral blood neutrophils release reactive oxygen species extracellulary which may alter the pathogenic processes in periodontal and other systemic diseases.