Influence of Active Exposure to Tobacco Smoke on Nitric Oxide Status of Pregnant Women

Abstract

Smoking tobacco can impair proper vascular endothelial functioning. This is exhibited through reduced nitric oxide synthesis as well as activity due to accompanying oxidative stress. We examined the relationship between nitric oxide and markers of oxidative stress/antioxidant defense in serum of smoking and non-smoking pregnant women. Subjects included 99 healthy pregnant women, who were tested for nitric oxide (NO), endothelial (eNOS) and inducible (iNOS) nitric oxide synthase, total oxidant capacity (TOC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). NO, eNOS, and TAC serum concentrations were significantly lower (p < 0.005), but iNOS (p < 0.05) and TOC (p < 0.001) were higher in smokers than in non-smokers. Multivariate regression analysis showed associations between NO concentration and eNOS, TAC, and smoking status in the whole group of patients. In the model estimated separately for smokers, the highest impact of eNOS (β = 0.375; p = 0.021) and cotinine (β = −0.323; p = 0.037) was indicated for NO concentration. In the model of non-smokers, eNOS (β = 0.291, p = 0.030) and TAC (β = 0.350; p = 0.015) were important for NO level. Smoking during pregnancy could exacerbate oxidative stress, impair the action of nitric oxide synthases, and adversely affect the balance of oxygen and nitrogen metabolism. Relationships between NO concentrations and TAC in the studied women’s blood can confirm the antioxidant nature of nitric oxide.

First Trimester Microelements and Their Relationships with Pregnancy Outcomes and Complications

“…Although the diet is a basic determinant of microelement levels in the body [51], various factors, e.g., obesity, smoking, alcohol, or older age, can change their levels in tissues, as several studies in the general population have shown [52,53], and these factors have been associated with increased oxidative stress and inflammation [52,[54][55][56][57][58]. However, the number of studies on pregnant women is limited [1,28,54].…”

The Influence of Various Smoking Categories on The Risk of Gestational Hypertension and Pre-Eclampsia

“…Secondly, it is possible that tobacco smoke affects the oxidative damage to endothelial cells (these cells synthesize endogenous nitric oxide NO, which has vasodilating properties). This can cause an imbalance between the action of vasoconstricting and vasodilating factors [35]. Thirdly, nicotine increases blood pressure by acting on the cardiovascular system [11].…”

Maternal Smoking Induced Cardiovascular Risks in Fetuses: How Can in silico Models Help?

“…In addition, the NO and eNOS concentration in the serum of smokers were significantly lower than the non-smoking group. In contrast, inducible NOS and oxidative stress index values were higher in the smokers' group (Chełchowska et al, 2018).…”

“…Endothelium-dependent vessel relaxation is mediated by nitric oxide (NO), which is synthesized from the amino acid Larginine by eNOS (Chełchowska et al, 2018). The activity and concentration of the calcium-dependent eNOS were significantly lower in the umbilical vein ECs of smokers compared with nonsmokers (Andersen et al, 2004).…”

“…Despite mounting evidence of detrimental effects of maternal smoking on fetuses, including still birth, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) among many others, the prevalence of smoking women exceeds 10% in a majority of developed countries (Dessì et al, 2018). For example, in the USA, the prevalence is about 14% (Dessì et al, 2018), and in Poland, this rate is 15-20% (Chełchowska et al, 2018). Pregnancy smoking rates can be much higher in certain sub-populations of these countries, such as for instance, among the indigenous NZ Māori population at rates of 34%-well above the national level of 10% (Humphrey et al, 2016).…”