Bidis — hand-rolled, Indian cigarettes: Induced biochemical changes in plasma and red cell membranes of human male volunteers

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of bidi smoking on erythrocyte antioxidant status, membrane fluidity. Design and methods Thirty experimental and control subjects (mean age 35 ± 5) were selected for the study. Experimental subjects smoke 22 ± 4 bidis per day for 8–10 years. Results Increase in plasma total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls with a decrease in HDL-cholesterol, thiol groups as well as increased erythrocyte catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), decreased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) content was observed in bidi smokers. Increase in the erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation, cholesterol phospholipids (C/P) ratio as well as decrease in protein and Na +/K +-ATPase activity was observed. Increase in nitrite/nitrate (NOx) levels of plasma, red cell lysate was positively correlated with C/P ratio ( r = 0.614) and Na +/K +-ATPase ( r = 0.435) in bidi smokers. Conclusions Bidi smoke alters antioxidant status, red cell membrane fluidity and increases atherogenicity.