Oxidative stress in smokers and non-smokers

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of some diseases such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and atheroscleorosis. Smoking may enhance oxidative stress not only through the production of reactive oxygen radicals in smoke but also through weakening of the antioxidant defense systems. In this study, we investigated the effects of smoking on lipid peroxidation and paraoxonase activity in a healthy population. The study consisted of (n = 30) smokers and (n = 30) nonsmokers. The age of the population which is studied was 44.74 +/- 10.59 yr. The levels of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and paraoxonase (PON1) activities were measured by the modified Buege method and the Eckerson method, respectively. Student's t-test was used to analyze the data. The serum MDA levels were significantly higher (p <.05) and serum PON1 activities were significantly lower (p <.001) in smokers than in nonsmokers. Thus, increased levels of serum MDA and decreased PON1 activities may be important in determining the oxidant/ antioxidant imbalance in smokers.