Abstract:
Smoking is not only associated with decreased concentrations of several antioxidant vitamins and trace elements but also increased morbidity and mortality risk of cardiovascular disease. We sought to determine the relation between oxidative stress, smoking status, homocysteine and circulating concentrations of vitamins, trace elements antioxidant. Studies were carried out on 150 smokers (50 of industrial cigarette smokers, 50 of passive smokers, 50 local tobacco smokers) compared with 50 nonsmoking control subjects. Levels of plasma homocysteine, vitamin B12, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) were significantly higher in smokers than in controls. Whereas vitamin B6, folate, C, A, E, beta carotene, selenium (Se), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn) and mercury (Hg) levels were significantly lower among smokers than controls. However, levels of antioxidant enzymes as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), lipid peroxidation as malondialdehyde (MDA) and conjugate diene (CD) levels did not differ statistically. In smokers total homocysteine concentration significantly and positively correlated with weight, BMI, waist, hip and smoking characteristics such as the number of cigarettes per day and pack-years and significantly but negative correlated with cholesterol, LDL, folate and B12. The percentage of hyperhomocysteinemia in smoker (37.58%) was higher than in control (20%). For dietary intake assessment, smokers consumed significantly less energy from carbohydrate, fat compared to controls, while energy derived from protein did not differ between groups. Moreover, smokers consumed less dietary fiber, vitamin A, B, C, E and beta carotene compared with controls. Increasing plasma homocysteine levels in healthy smokers may be explained by low vitamin B status that linked to homocysteine metabolism such as vitamin B6 and folate. Direct effects of smoking may include oxidative stress that not only leads to developed cardiovascular disease but also leads to increased turnover or breakdown of vitamins and micronutrients. Therefore public health should not only aim for smoking cessation, but also concern about diet in terms of vitamin and trace element content.