RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CIGARETTE SMOKING AND NOVEL RISK FACTORS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE.

The aim of the present study was to assess the association between cigarettesmoking and the alteration of plasma concentration of cardiovascular markers. Methods: Twenty male cigarette smokers and 20 healthy age matched male non smokers were included in the study. Plasma levels of fasting cholesterol, triglycerides, High Density Lipoprotein(HDL), Low Density Lipoprotein(LDL), Very Low Density Lipoprotein(VLDL) , C- reactive protein and homocysteine were estimated. Results Both serum total homocysteine and C-reactive protein levels were significantly increased in cigarette smokers than in non-smokers(p<0.001). Fasting serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides , LDL, VLDL and total cholesterol / HDL ratio were observed to be significantly higher in smokers than non-smokers(p<0.001). However,fasting HDL concentration was significantly decreased in smokers than non-smokers(p<0.001). In conclusion, our study identifies a strong ,positive relationship between cigarette smoking and elevated levels of all three novel risk factors for cardiovascular disease.   Interpretation & Conclusion: These findings suggest that inflammation and hyperhomocysteinemia may be important mechanisms by which smoking promotes atherosclerotic disease Key words: Smoking, Homocysteine, Lipid profile, C-reactive protein.

Author(s): B Raghu, P Venkatesan

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