Maternal cigarette smoking increases F2-isoprostanes and reduces prostacyclin and nitric oxide in umbilical vessels

Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat. 1999 Jun;57(4):269-79. doi: 10.1016/s0090-6980(99)00011-8.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of smoking on F2-isoprostanes, prostacylin and nitric oxide in human umbilical vessels. Umbilical cords from 13 babies of smoking mothers and from 28 babies of non-smoking mothers were examined for levels of F2-isoprostanes, prostacyclin, L-arginine, and L-citrulline. Forty-one umbilical arteries and eleven umbilical veins were analyzed. Statistical analysis of data was done using modified t-test. Cigarette smoking increased F2-isoprostane levels and reduced the generation of prostacyclin, L-arginine and L-citrulline comparably in umbilical arteries and veins. Notably, in umbilical cords of babies of non-smoking mothers the F2-isoprostane level was significantly higher in arteries. Cigarette smoking correlates with a direct vasoconstrictive effect. We suggest that smoking might enhance the vasoconstrictory capacity in umbilical arteries by increased F2-isoprostanes and by a simultaneous decrease in the production of the vasodilatory compounds, prostacyclin, and nitric oxide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arginine / blood
  • Citrulline / blood
  • Cysteine / blood
  • Dinoprost / analogs & derivatives
  • Dinoprost / biosynthesis*
  • Dinoprost / blood
  • Dinoprostone / biosynthesis
  • Dinoprostone / blood
  • Epoprostenol / metabolism*
  • F2-Isoprostanes
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Pregnancy
  • Smoking / adverse effects*
  • Umbilical Arteries / drug effects
  • Umbilical Arteries / metabolism
  • Umbilical Cord / drug effects
  • Umbilical Cord / metabolism*
  • Umbilical Veins / drug effects
  • Umbilical Veins / metabolism
  • Vasoconstriction / drug effects

Substances

  • F2-Isoprostanes
  • 8-epi-prostaglandin F2alpha
  • Citrulline
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Arginine
  • Dinoprost
  • Epoprostenol
  • Dinoprostone
  • Cysteine