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2000
Volume 16, Issue 23
  • ISSN: 1381-6128
  • E-ISSN: 1873-4286

Abstract

Active and passive exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) increases the risk of, and has deleterious effects in, ischemic heart disease. Exposure to CS increases infarct size in experimental models of coronary occlusion and reperfusion. Among many possible mechanisms for these deleterious effects in intact animals and humans three have more substantial evidence: 1) functional alterations of endothelial cells, neutrophils and platelets; 2) impaired mitochondrial function and energy metabolism caused by toxins in CS, including oxidative free radicals; 3) increased arterial stiffness and vulnerability of the atherosclerotic plaque. In addition to the various pro-mitogenic, carcinogenic and apoptotic pathways thought to be affected and upregulated by CS, a direct necrotic action on cardiomyocytes is also believed to exist. Many, if not all, of these alterations are caused by oxidative stress, either as a direct consequence of inhalation of free radicals, or by induction from the vast range of chemicals present in both the gas and solid phase of tobacco smoke. Here, some of the proposed mechanisms will be reviewed and their impact on the cardiomyocytes and peripheral vasculature discussed.

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/content/journals/cpd/10.2174/138161210792062830
2010-08-01
2025-05-07
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  • Article Type:
    Research Article
Keyword(s): cardiomyocyte; endothelium; Oxidative stress; smoking
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