COMPARISON OF SERUM LEVELS OF CRP AND URIC ACID IN ACTIVE, PASSIVE, AND NON- SMOKERS

INTRODUCTION: Some studies have shown that C-reactive protein (CRP) and uric acid may have a role in development of coronary artery disease (CAD); the role cigarette smoking plays in CAD through various mechanisms has also been demonstrated. Hence, the question is raised: does cigarette smoking exert its atherogenic effect through increasing CRP and uric acid levels in the serum? The first step in responding to this question would be to study the relationship between cigarette smoking, CAD, CRP and uric acid levels. As cigarette smoking is highly prevalent in Iran, the present study was conducted to compare mean serum levels of CRP and uric acid in 3 groups of active smokers, passive smokers, and non-smokers, to determine any possible association between cigarette smoking and serum CRP and uric acid levels. METHODS: The study involved 177 men aged 20-40 years in 3 groups of active smokers, passive smokers, and non-smokers (59 individuals in each group). In addition, fasting blood samples were taken from all subjects to measure serum levels of CRP serologically and uric acid photometrically (using ELAN 2000). Questionnaires on anthropometrics, personal information, disease history, drug use and other related subjects were completed for all the subjects. RESULTS: Mean serum CRP levels were 5.4 +/- 1.9, 3.7 +/- 0.8 and 4.0 +/- 0.8 mg/L for the active smokers, passive smokers, and non-smokers, respectively. The difference between active smokers and the other two groups was statistically significant (P= 0.000), while no significant difference was found between passive smokers and non-smokers (P= 0.13). Serum levels of uric acid in active smokers, passive smokers, and non-smokers was 7.0 +/- 1.4, 5.3 +/- 1.3 and 5.6 +/- 1.3 mg/dl, respectively. The difference between active smokers and the other two groups was significant (P= 0.000). The difference between passive smokers and non-smokers was insignificant (P=0.34). CONCLUSIONS: Higher mean serum levels of CRP and uric acid in active smokers seem to confirm the harmful effects of nicotine on the two variables. We recommended studies on the possible role of increased serum CRP and uric acid levels due to cigarette smoking in CVD development.