Effect of cigarette smoke on lipid peroxidation and liver function tests in rats.

The effect of cigarette smoke on organ weights, lipid peroxidation and plasma biochemical parameters was investigated in male Wistar rats. Daily exposure (for 20 min twice a day) to cigarette smoke for 27 days caused a significant decrease in liver weight and a significant increase in lung weight. The smoke-exposure group showed increased lipid peroxidation in the liver, but not in the lung. In the smoke-exposure group, the GOT, gamma-GTP, total bilirubin and LDH values were significantly higher than those in the control group, while the plasma glucose value was significantly lower. These results suggest that cigarette smoking might induce liver injury by enhancing lipid peroxidation.