Enzyme inhibition by tobacco smoke: a comparison of the effects of four filters.

The effects of four types of cigarette filters on the inhibition of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by aqueous solutions of the free gas phase of tobacco smoke have been studied. Commercial cellulose acetate-charcoal filters or experimental wool filters containing a polyethyleneimine-quaternary ammonium additive were particularly effective in removing the inhibitor(s) from smoke under prescribed experimental conditions. Inhibition was dependent in all cases on both the age and the amount of free gas phase solution as well as contact time. Transient enzyme activation was observed. It is suggested that hydrogen sulfide is the main inhibitor present in the gas phase of cigarette smoke.