Cigarette smoke will inhibit anti-inflammatory enzymes

US scientists say cigarette smoke inhibits an important respiratory organ enzyme that plays a role in controlling the immune mechanism.

According to research published in Science Express, cigarette smoke inhibits enzymes called Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase (LTA4H).

The loss of this enzyme function means that white blood cells will not stop after successfully responding to infection.

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have identified an unknown substrate of LTA4H enzyme called proline-glycine-proline (PGP).

PGP plays a role in controlling neutrophils and penetrating the cause of infection. When this is over, LTA4H will isolate PGP and end the mission of the white blood cells.

J. Edwin Blalock said: ' However, we found that the smoke contained LTA4H, preventing it from inactivating PGP. The continued presence of PGP means that the neutrophil immune response remains and this never-ending process will only make the infection chronic. '

Blalock said PGP is a biochemical indicator for some chronic inflammation-related lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and alveolar fibrosis.

Determining the true role of PGP can lead to important directions towards the new generation of anti-inflammatory drugs.