Influence of Cigarette Smoking on Liver Function and Lipids Levels Tests: A comparative Study Directed among Smokers and Non-smokers in Babylon Governorate

Abstract

  Cigarette smoking currently is considered as one of the greatest problems in public health worldwide and is risk factor for peripheral vascular disorders and heart disease. The monitoring of liver function and total cholesterol are very important to give an estimation of the future cardiovascular diseases among smokers. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of cigarette smoking on the serum levels of liver enzymes: aspartate aminotransferase (GOT), alanine transaminase (GPT) and cholesterol activities among Iraqi smokers in Babylon City, compared to apparently healthy individuals (non-smokers) as a control group (all were males). A case- control study was carried out on forty Iraqi male smokers who smoke at least 10 cigarettes per day for at least15 years. The group includes smokers with age range between 15-55 years. Non-smokers, (control, n= 20) group were collected with the same range of age for statistical comparison.  The whole blood samples were drawn by venipuncture from each individual; levels of cholesterol and liver functions test were estimated in the blood serum of smokers and non-smokers by diagnostic kit (Randox corporation-UK) using automatic analyzer.The findings of this study showed that there was a significant higher level of total cholesterol, ALT, and AST in the smokers group compared to non-smokers (P<0.05). As well as, the results showed a significant positive correlation between the smokers’ age and serum GOT, GPT and cholesterol activity (Increasing) especially in age between 45 to 55 years old, as compared to control. In addition, total cholesterol and liver function enzymes were significantly positive correlated with the duration of smoking (P<0.05).Cigarette smoking leads to oxidative stress by free radical generation by the mechanism of lipid peroxidation that is affected by the heaviness of smoking. Smoking exerts negative influence on liver functions test that should be carefully interpreted and preventive strategies needed to avoid the future cardiovascular diseases.