Threshold of biologic responses of the small airway epithelium to low levels of tobacco smoke.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Epidemiologic data demonstrate that individuals exposed to low levels of tobacco smoke have decrements in lung function and higher risk for lung disease compared with unexposed individuals. Although this risk is small, low-level tobacco smoke exposure is so widespread, it is a significant public health concern.

Objectives

To identify biologic correlates of this risk we hypothesized that, compared with unexposed individuals, individuals exposed to low levels of tobacco smoke have biologic changes in the small airway epithelium, the site of the first abnormalities associated with smoking.

Methods

Small airway epithelium was obtained by bronchoscopy from 121 individuals; microarrays were used to assess genome-wide gene expression; urine nicotine and cotinine we

SUBMITTER: Strulovici-Barel Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3029938 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature