Male Non-smokers Research Articles

European Whites May Need Lower Minimum Therapeutic Clozapine Doses Than Those Customarily Proposed.

A nomogram from a British naturalistic study proposed that the clozapine dosing needed to reach a serum concentration of 350 ng/mL ranged from 265 mg/d (female nonsmokers) to 525 mg/d (male smokers). Some European reviews have used these dosing recommendations, which seem greater than what we found in an Italian White sample ranging from 245 mg/d (female nonsmokers) to 299 mg/d (male smokers). Five other published samples of European Whites were added to the Italian sample to estimate clozapine doses recommended for reaching 350 ng/mL. Average clozapine metabolizers were obtained by eliminating outliers with confounding variables: (1) psychiatric inducers and inhibitors; (2) doses less than 100 mg/d; and (3) when possible, patients with inflammation, obesity, or using oral contraceptives. The study included 1363 average metabolizer European Whites: the Italian sample and 5 new samples. Mean averages that reached serum concentration levels of 350 ng/mL were calculated after stratification by sex and smoking status in each sample. Then, weighted mean averages were obtained by combining the 6 samples. The estimated weighted mean clozapine dosages ranged from 236 to 368 mg/d (236 mg/d in 218 female nonsmokers, 256 mg/d in 340 male nonsmokers, 357 mg/d in 269 female smokers, and 368 mg/d in 546 male smokers). Our recommended dosages are less than those recommended in Europe. Future studies in European Whites need to replicate these recommended doses for average metabolizer patients after sex and smoking stratification and further explore clozapine dosing for those with relevant clinical confounders.

Association of Cigarette Smoking and Serum Concentrations of Vitamins A and E in Men: A Case-Control Study

Background: Cigarette smoking is associated with changes in blood concentrations of some antioxidant vitamins. This study aimed to determine the association of cigarette smoking with serum concentrations of vitamins A and E in men. Methods: This was a case-control study, in which the participants were 80 male smokers and 84 male nonsmokers (age range: 20-60 years). Data on dietary intake, health status, smoking habits, anthropometric characteristics, and vitamin levels were compared between cases and controls. Results: Smokers had significantly lower concentrations of serum vitamin E (p = 0.001) and vitamin A (p = 0.013) compared with nonsmokers. However, serum vitamin E to cholesterol ratio was not significantly different between smokers and nonsmokers. Moreover, the highest circulating concentrations of vitamin E was observed in smokers who smoked ≤9 cigarettes per day (p < 0.03), while and the lowest vitamin E was seen in men smoking ≥20 cigarettes per day. Conclusion: The results of this study identified that cigarette smoking is associated with lower levels of serum vitamin E and vitamin A, although it was not associated with vitamin E to cholesterol ratio.

Changes in physical activity and mortality risk among an adult Lithuanian urban population: results from a cohort study

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate changes in physical activity and the association of these changes with the risk of all-cause mortality and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) among an adult and elderly Lithuanian urban population. Study designProspective cohort study. MethodsData from four surveys are presented. In total, there were 2416 participants (1071 men and 1345 women) who took part in one of the initial three surveys in the framework of the Multinational Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease (MONICA) study since 1986 and also in the follow-up survey in 2006 (with follow-up over 15 years). Study participants were followed-up for mortality events from 2006 until 31 December 2017. The mean duration of the follow-up for endpoints period was 10.55 (standard deviation 2.33) years. ResultsOver 15 years of follow-up, 50.9% of men and 56.7% of women were physically active at initial and follow-up surveys, and approximately 10.0% of respondents were physically inactive. Over this period, 22.8% of men and 24.8% of women increased their physical activity level, and 14.1% of men and 10.1% of women decreased their physical activity level. The findings from the Cox proportional hazards regression multivariable analysis showed that a decrease in physical activity level during the follow-up period was related to a higher risk for all-cause mortality and mortality from CVD risk in women (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.82, P = 0.039; and HR = 5.40, P = 0.014, respectively). In men, a clear association of physical inactivity was ascertained only to all-cause mortality risk and only for non-smokers (HR = 2.07, P = 0.013). ConclusionsA decrease in physical activity levels in women is a strong predictor for all-cause mortality risk and mortality from CVD risk. Physical inactivity in male non-smokers is a strong predictor for all-cause mortality risk.

SARS-CoV-2 Receptor ACE2 Gene Is Associated with Hypertension and Severity of COVID 19: Interaction with Sex, Obesity, and Smoking.

BACKGROUNDAngiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been identified as the entry receptor for coronaviruses into human cells, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since hypertension (HT) is a leading comorbidity in non-survivors of COVID-19, we tested for association between ACE2 gene and HT in interaction with specific pre-existing conditions known to be associated with COVID-19 severity.METHODSGenetic analysis of ACE2 gene was conducted in French-Canadian (FC) and British populations.RESULTSIn FC individuals, the T allele of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs2074192 of ACE2 gene was a risk factor for HT in adult obese males [odds ratio (OR) = 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06–1.83)] and even more so in obese males who smoked (OR = 1.67, CI: 1.24–2.55), but not in lean males, non-smoker males or females. The T allele was significantly associated with severity of HT and with earlier penetrance of HT in obese smoking males. Significant interaction between the T allele and obesity was present in both sexes. The association of ACE2 (rs233575) genotype with blood pressure was also seen in adolescents but the interaction with obesity was present only in females. Several variants in ACE2 gene were found to be associated with HT in obese, smoking males in British individuals of the UK Biobank. In addition, we observed more severe outcomes to COVID-19 in association with ACE2 risk alleles in obese, smoking males.CONCLUSIONSThis is the first report that ACE2 variants are associated with earlier penetrance and more severe HT and with more severe outcomes of COVID-19 in obese smoking males.

Urinary Leukotriene E4 and Prostaglandin D2 Metabolites Increase in Adult and Childhood Severe Asthma Characterized by Type 2 Inflammation. A Clinical Observational Study.

Rationale: New approaches are needed to guide personalized treatment of asthma.Objectives: To test if urinary eicosanoid metabolites can direct asthma phenotyping.Methods: Urinary metabolites of prostaglandins (PGs), cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs), and isoprostanes were quantified in the U-BIOPRED (Unbiased Biomarkers for the Prediction of Respiratory Diseases Outcomes) study including 86 adults with mild-to-moderate asthma (MMA), 411 with severe asthma (SA), and 100 healthy control participants. Validation was performed internally in 302 participants with SA followed up after 12–18 months and externally in 95 adolescents with asthma.Measurement and Main Results: Metabolite concentrations in healthy control participants were unrelated to age, body mass index, and sex, except for the PGE2 pathway. Eicosanoid concentrations were generally greater in participants with MMA relative to healthy control participants, with further elevations in participants with SA. However, PGE2 metabolite concentrations were either the same or lower in male nonsmokers with asthma than in healthy control participants. Metabolite concentrations were unchanged in those with asthma who adhered to oral corticosteroid treatment as documented by urinary prednisolone detection, whereas those with SA treated with omalizumab had lower concentrations of LTE4 and the PGD2 metabolite 2,3-dinor-11β-PGF2α. High concentrations of LTE4 and PGD2 metabolites were associated with lower lung function and increased amounts of exhaled nitric oxide and eosinophil markers in blood, sputum, and urine in U-BIOPRED participants and in adolescents with asthma. These type 2 (T2) asthma associations were reproduced in the follow-up visit of the U-BIOPRED study and were found to be as sensitive to detect T2 inflammation as the established biomarkers.Conclusions: Monitoring of urinary eicosanoids can identify T2 asthma and introduces a new noninvasive approach for molecular phenotyping of adult and adolescent asthma.Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 01976767).

An Analysis of Rate of Progression and Associated Risk Factors of Chronic Kidney Disease of Uncertain Etiology in Sri Lanka.

Chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology (CKD-u) is an important public health issue in Sri Lanka and around the world, but published evidence of the progression of this disease is scanty. Our aim is to analyze the progression patterns and the associated risk factors of definite and probable CKD-u cases. This observational study was based on records of CKD-u cohort from 2005-14 at Girandurukotte, an endemic area for CKD-u in Uva Province, Sri Lanka. Data (rate of progression, survival, and risk factors) were analyzed using R statistical software. CKD-u cases (379) were included in analyses based on the adequacy of variables. Mean age was 53 years, male-to-female ratio of 2.5:1, and smoking were significant risk factors (P <0.10) for CKD-u progression. Males had 2.3 times hazard for CKD-u survival than females, and males who smoked had 2.57 times risk of CKD-u progression than nonsmoking males. Faster eGFR decline rate of >5 mL/min/1.73 m2/year have been identified in 25% of the sample (n = 100); this group is significantly younger than the slower progression group (mean age 46 years) and was at an early stage at the time of presentation (mean eGFR 76.02). CKD-u progression was not equal in all patients but faster in young people who presented at earlier stages. Continuous exposure to environmental risk factors may influence the rate of progression. Females have higher CKD-u survival rates than males. Tobacco smoking was associated with a lower survival of CKD-u but could be a proxy indicative of other exposures.

Effect of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) to Increase Force Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1) among Active Smokers

Low forced expired volume in one second (FEV1) indicates decreased lung function that might be caused by airway obstruction and could be associated with smoking. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L) has been widely used as a traditional medicine and has anti-inflammation and antioxidant effects. This study aimed to assess the effect of tamarind to in reducing airway obstruction and improving FEV1 among active smokers. A quasi-experimental study of pre-and post-test was conducted among workers at wood furniture factories in Aceh, Indonesia. Before treatment, FEV1 was measured and compared between smokers and non-smokers. Active smokers were provided with tamarind for seven consecutive days and their FEV1 were re-measured on the 8th day. In total, 40 male adult smokers and 40 male non-smokers as the control were enrolled. Half of smoker participants (50%) aged between 35-44 years. Before treatment, the FEV1 in smoking group was significantly lower compared to the non-smoking group (56.45% ± 7.97% vs. 78.33% ± 6.29%, p

Comparison of total antioxidant capacity of saliva in men based on daily cigarette consumption

Objective: Antioxidants play an important role in inhibiting free oxygen and nitrogen radicals and preventing their formation. There are contradictory results regarding the relationship between cigarette smoking and total antioxidant capacity of saliva. In this study, the total antioxidant capacity of saliva has been compared in normal smokers, heavy smokers and non-smokers. Material and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 28 heavy male smokers (more than one pack of cigarettes per day), 28 normal male smokers (less than one pack of cigarettes per day), and 28 male non-smokers aged 25 to 40 years old entered the study. Unstimulated saliva was collected by Spitting method. The total antioxidant capacity of saliva was measured using Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power Assay. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Tukey tests were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean total antioxidant capacity of saliva in male non-smokers was 0.0598 ± 0.08 ?mol / L, in normal male smokers was 0.049 ± 0.04 ?mol / L, and in heavy male smokers was 0.0388 ± 0.035 ?mol / L, which did not show any significant difference between the groups (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that smoking does not have a significant effect on total antioxidant capacity of saliva in smokers. KEYWORDS Smokers; Saliva; Total antioxidant capacity.

Comparison of pulmonary function test between exposed and non-exposed non-smoker adult males to indoor air pollutants: An observational and cross-sectional study in different offices of North India

Background: This study was planned to evaluate and compare the effect of indoor air pollutants on the pulmonary function testing of office workers (Safai Sewaks). We hypothesize that acute exposure to dust and other indoor pollutants daily during their job would lead to deterioration of their lung function more than anyone who is exposed to these indoor pollutants intermittently. Materials and Methods: An observational and cross-sectional study comparing the pulmonary function parameters FEV1, FVC and PEFR between 100 Safai Sewaks and 100 controls matched for age, weight, height and body surface area. Study participants included were adult males between 18-45 years age and non-smoker. Results: The actual values of FEV1, FVC and PEFR were compared in both the groups. FEV1 was significantly lower in Safai Sewaks (2.2350 0.61072 L; p± 0.64785 L). FVC was also significantly lower in Safai Sewaks (2.382 ± 0.7007 L; p± 0.76955 L). PEFR, which is a good indicator of the expiratory effort was also lower in Safai Sewaks (6.033 ± 1.9170 L/min; p± 4.7082 L/min). Conclusion: Respiratory function as assessed by FEV1, FVC and PEFR is reduced in Safai Sewaks as compared to the controls due to indoor air pollution and exposure to dust associated with their daily job. Keywords: Indoor dust exposure, Safai Sewaks, lung function.

Comparison of Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Current, Ex and Non Smokers

Objective: To detect treatment outcomes in current smokers, ex - smokers and nonsmokers, in newly diagnosed pulmonary TB patients.&#x0D; Methodology: This cohort prospective study was conducted in the department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi, with the collaboration of different (DOTS) centers of Pathology Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi. All newly diagnosed pulmonary TB patients registered for treatment either of gender were included. The patients were divided into three groups. Group-A: Current smokers, Group-B: Ex-smokers, Group-C: Non-smokers. Patients were followed for 6 months. Outcome was assessed in terms of cured or failure. All the information was enrolled in pre-designed proforma. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20.&#x0D; Results: In current study mean age of non-smokers was 44.20±17.73, ex-smokers 43.13±15.67 years mean age of smokers was 38.07±15.67 years. Males were in majority in all study groups as in ex-smokers group, males were 98.75%, non-smoker males were 90.0% and in smoker group males were 92.50%. At starting of treatment, mean weight of smoker patients was 55.50±5.41 kg, ex-smoker’s 48.91±9.00 kg and mean weight of non-smokers 48.71±7.04 kg. P-0.001. At starting of treatment, the mean ESR of non-smokers was 89.31±10.02, ex-smoker’s was 82.62±12.18 and smokers ESR average was 80.61±15.83. P-0.001. After 6 month treatment, cured rate was (96.25%) in non-smokers, (90%) in smokers and (93.75%) in ex–smokers.&#x0D; Conclusion: This study concluded that cured rate was high in non-smokers. Smoking status in individuals greatly affects the tuberculosis treatment outcome with enhance failure rate.

Associations between smoking habits and major adverse cardiovascular events in patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography as screening for coronary artery disease.

We analyzed whether smoking was associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and the progression of coronary atherosclerosis as assessed by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) as screening for coronary artery disease (CAD). We enrolled 443 patients who had all undergone CCTA and either were clinically suspected of having CAD or had at least one cardiovascular risk factor. We divided the patients into smoking (past and current smoker) and non-smoking groups and into males and females, and evaluated the presence of CAD, severity of coronary atherosclerosis and MACE (cardiovascular death, ischemic stroke, acute myocardial infarction and coronary revascularization) with a follow-up of up to 5years. %CAD and the severity of coronary atherosclerosis in the smoking group were significantly higher than those in the non-smoking group. %MACE in males and smokers were significantly higher than those in females and non-smokers, respectively. Interestingly, Kaplan-Meier curves also showed that female non-smokers enjoyed significantly greater freedom from MACE than female smokers (p = 0.007), whereas there was no significant difference in freedom from MACE between male non-smokers and male smokers (p = 0.984). Although there were no significant predictors of MACE in all patients according to a multiple logistic regression analysis, smoking was useful for predicting MACE in females, but not males. In conclusion, smoking was significantly associated with MACE in females, but not males, who underwent CCTA as screening for CAD.

Respiratory, cardiac and metabolic responses during electrical muscle stimulation in quadriceps muscle versus comparable voluntary muscle contractions

Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) and voluntary muscle contraction (VMC) are both acceptable rehabilitative modalities to preserve muscle strength loss. The study aimed to compare respiratory, metabolic, and cardiac parameters during quadriceps muscle contraction (QMC) using either EMS or VMC with comparable generated low intensity muscle force. Thirty healthy non-smoker males, age 20–58 years with normal BMI and low to moderate physical activity, underwent two 20-min sessions of comparable QMC using EMS vs VMC at the same day. The BIODEX III isokinetic dynamometer was used to assess maximum isometric force and the comparable force generated during each condition (EMS vs VMC), while the METAMAX 3B portable metabolic system was used to measure continuously the physiological parameters. Tolerable EMS was used (mean: 33 ± 1.5 mA, at 75 Hz). Each contraction lasted 10 sec followed by 20 sec rest. Paired t-tests were used for comparisons between sessions. A relatively low proportion of maximum isometric force (EMS: 8.5% vs VMC: 8.6%) and torque (EMS: 16 ± 1.3 vs VMC: 16 ± 1.1 Nm) were generated during each session. Mean minute ventilation (EMS: 10.8 L vs VMC: 9.8 L), tidal volume (EMS: 0.6 L vs VMC: 0.5 L), O2 uptake (EMS: 0.31 L/min vs VMC: 0.26 L/min) and O2 pulse (EMS: 3.9 ml/beat vs VMC: 3.6 ml/beat) were different between sessions (p ≤ .05); while heart rate (EMS: 72 beats/min vs VMC: 71 beats/min) was equal. Quadriceps muscle EMS induces higher respiratory and metabolic responses compared to equal magnitude VMC in healthy males.

Acute Running and Coronary Heart Disease Risk Markers in Male Cigarette Smokers and Nonsmokers: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease and is associated with impaired postprandial metabolism. Acute exercise reduces postprandial lipemia and improves other coronary heart disease risk markers in nonsmokers. Less is known about responses in cigarette smokers. Twelve male cigarette smokers (mean ± SD; age = 23 ± 4 yr, body mass index = 24.9 ± 3.0 kg·m-2) and 12 male nonsmokers (age = 24 ± 4 yr, body mass index = 24.1 ± 2.0 kg·m-2) completed two, 2-d conditions (control and exercise) in a randomized crossover design. On day 1, participants rested for 9 h (0800-1700) in both conditions except a 60-min treadmill run (65% ± 7% peak oxygen uptake, 2.87 ± 0.54 MJ) was completed between 6.5 and 7.5 h (1430-1530) in the exercise condition. On day 2 of both conditions, participants rested and consumed two high-fat meals over 8 h (0900-1700) during which 13 venous blood samples and nine resting arterial blood pressure measurements were collected. Smokers exhibited higher postprandial triacylglycerol and C-reactive protein than nonsmokers (main effect group effect size [Cohen's d] ≥ 0.94, P ≤ 0.034). Previous day running reduced postprandial triacylglycerol, insulin, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (main effect condition d ≥ 0.28, P ≤ 0.044) and elevated postprandial nonesterified fatty acid and C-reactive protein (main effect condition d ≥ 0.41, P ≤ 0.044). Group-condition interactions were not apparent for any outcome across the total postprandial period (0-8 h; all P ≥ 0.089), but the exercise-induced reduction in postprandial triacylglycerol in the early postprandial period (0-4 h) was greater in nonsmokers than smokers (-21%, d = 0.43, vs -5%, d = 0.16, respectively; group-condition interaction P = 0.061). Acute moderate-intensity running reduced postprandial triacylglycerol, insulin, and resting arterial blood pressure the day after exercise in male cigarette smokers and nonsmokers. These findings highlight the ability of acute exercise to augment the postprandial metabolic health of cigarette smokers and nonsmokers.

Prevalence of COPD by age, sex, socioeconomic position and smoking status; a cross-sectional study

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to calculate gender and socioeconomic status (SES) inequalities in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Greater Glasgow and Clyde and measure the proportion of inequalities explained by smoking.Design/methodology/approachMedical records until May 2016 were linked to mortality data to measure COPD prevalence. Population estimates for smoking status were calculated by merging three (2013–2015) Scottish Household Survey rounds. Poisson regression was carried out to analyse the relationship between SES and gender inequalities in COPD, and smoking.FindingsCrude COPD prevalence for ages 16+ years was 3.29% and for ages 45 years+ was 6.26%, and higher in females than males. Adjusting for age and sex, prevalence of COPD in the most deprived quintile was 4.5 times of that in the least deprived. Adjustment for smoking explains almost half of the relative difference between Scottish Indicator for Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 1 (least affluent quintile of deprivation) and SIMD 5 (most affluent quintile) and a fifth of the absolute difference. There is a higher risk of COPD among male non-smokers than female, but among smokers the risk is greater for females than males.Research limitations/implicationsRisk factors specific to respiratory health beyond smoking and common risk factors of morbidity more generally should be considered in understanding inequalities in COPD.Originality/valuePrevalence of COPD is higher than previously thought. Smoking explains less than half of inequalities in COPD. Gender inequalities in COPD are dependent on smoking status and the smoking indicator used.

Myogenin level tends to decrease in adult male cigarette smokers

BackgroundThe World Health Organization has warned that cigarette smoking is an avoidable risk factor for endothelial injury. Myogenin might play a role in muscle metabolism and energy utilization. Electrolytes and minerals are involved in most cellular activities. The objective of this study was to compare myogenin and electrolyte levels between adult male cigarette smokers (CS) and non-smokers (NS). MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted involving 90 subjects, consisting of 55 CS and 35 NS. The sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine myogenin levels while the ion-selective electrode method was used to determine electrolyte levels. The levels of sodium, potassium, and chloride and the body mass index (BMI) were measured. Mann-Whitney and independent t-test were used to analyse the data. Results The BMI of CS was significantly lower than that of NS (p &lt; 0.05). The mean serum levels of sodium (145.23 ± 1.87), potassium (4.00 ± 0.31) and chloride (103.95 ± 1.60) were significantly higher in the CS than in the NS (these being 142.38 ± 2.49, 3.83 ± 0.33, and 101.48 ± 2.08, respectively) (p&lt;0.05). Myogenin levels (44.24 ± 14.60 pg/mL) tended to decrease in the CS group compared to the NS group (59.66 ± 61.73 pg/mL), but the difference was statistically not significant (p=0.769).Conclusion The study demonstrated that higher concentrations of sodium, potassium and chloride with lower concentrations of myogenin in smokers may be associated with higher risk of skeletal muscle tissue injury probably due to the inability of the affected small blood vessels to transport electrolytes to tissues.

Investigation a relation between radioactivity concentrations of 40 Potassium (40K) in tooth and the various ethnic groups and its impacts on the rate of tooth damage

A relationship between natural radioactivity concentrations and ethnic type has investigated in the human tooth using high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. Tooth samples (20 samples) collected from male non-smokers at private and public dental clinics located in Erbil city center for four ethnic types of population living in the Kurdistan Regain/ Iraq; Kurd, Arab, Turkman, and Syriac (Christian). In the tooth samples related to the above mentioned different ethnic groups high and low levels of radionuclides have been recorded. For example, searching for the naturally occurring radionuclides (40 K, 226Ra and 232 Th) the following maximum and minimum values of specific activity concentrations (measured in Bq/kg) have been found differentiated according to the different ethnic group: (434.92 ± 32.65) and (285.33 ± 15.22) (40 K), (86.24 ± 14.62) and (36.35 ± 8.15) (226Ra) for the Christian and Kurdish ethnics, and (285.33 ± 15.22) and (9.56 ± 1.62 Bq/kg) 232 Th for the Turkman and Arab ethnic groups, respectively, have been recorded.Therefore, strong correlations have been found between specific activity concentrations of the naturally occurring radionuclides with the particular ethnic group from which the samples have been originated.In addition, the above specific activity concentrations have enabled the authors the estimation of the hazard index, the radium equivalent activities (Ra), the external and the internal hazard indexes (Hex, Hin), and the absorbed dose (Dout, Din). In conclusion, the values reported in this paper have not turned out to be higher than recommended values of UNSCEAR (2000).

Association between the ACE-I/D polymorphism and nicotine dependence amongst patients with lung cancer.

The biologically active peptide angiotensin II is cleaved from angiotensinogen by the renin and the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), an enzymatic cascade known as the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). RAS may be important in the etiology of nicotine dependence by influencing dopaminergic signaling. In the present study, the association between an insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of ACE and nicotine dependence amongst patients with lung cancer was assessed. To date, several studies have shown the relevance of this polymorphic variant in both nicotine dependence and lung cancer. However, the present study is the first to address the potential role of the ACE-I/D polymorphism in nicotine dependence among patients with lung cancer. Genotyping was performed in 305 patients with lung cancer (males/females, 214/91). Significantly more male smokers had the ACE-I allele compared with male non-smokers (44.9 vs. 20.0%; P<0.05). The risk of smoking was ~5-fold higher for males with the ACE-I allele (ACE-II homozygous and ACE-ID heterozygous) vs. ACE-DD homozygous (odds ratio, 5.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-21.9; P=0.016). The pack-year smoking history in a subgroup of females with squamous cell carcinoma carrying the ACE-I allele was significantly lower compared with ACE-DD (37.1±14.1 vs. 57.0±29.1; F=4.5; P=0.046). The ACE-I/D polymorphism accounted for 17.6% of the smoking severity in this patient group (β, -0.42; multiple R2 change, 0.176; P=0.046). These results suggest that the ACE-I/D polymorphism contributes to the risk of nicotine dependence and smoking severity in lung cancer patients in a sex-specific manner.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Capacity and Cotinine Levels of Saliva in Male Smokers and Non-smokers.

BackgroundThe cigarette compounds are associated with the increase in the incidence of oral cancer and precancerous lesions. Salivary antioxidant system plays an important role in anti-carcinogenic capacity of saliva. Cotinine, a nicotine metabolite, has a longer half-life in comparison with nicotine and is a suitable marker for exposure to cigarette smoke. This study aims to measure total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and cotinine level in saliva of smokers and non-smokers and compare salivary cotinine level and TAC in each group.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 32 smokers and 34 non-smokers were recruited by consecutive sampling from Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Salivary cotinine and TAC concentrations were determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. For data analysis, correlation tests of Spearman, Mann-Whitney U, and independent samples t-test were used.FindingsA significant difference was observed between the two groups in the mean cotinine level and in the mean TAC (P = 0.015, P = 0.027, respectively). TAC showed a weak negative correlation with the cotinine level, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.651).ConclusionAntioxidants are of great importance to smokers because antioxidants are able to scavenge free radicals found in cigarette smoke. According to the results of present study, the salivary TAC in smokers was lower than that of non-smokers, and the salivary cotinine level in smokers was higher than non-smokers. Therefore, smoking endangers the oral cavity health by reducing the salivary TAC. Further studies with a higher sample size and other factors affecting the salivary TAC are needed for definitive comment.

A Biochemical Study of α-Amylase Activity in Saliva of Some Libyan Cigarette Smokers

Tobacco consumption alters many biological parameters, including α-amylase activity. This study reports the effect of cigarette smoking on salivary α-amylase activities of some male heavy smokers (100) in apparent good health compared with (40) male non-smokers as control. The salivary α-amylase activity was assayed using the standard colorimetric method. The α-amylase enzyme was characterized from the saliva samples collected from healthy adult smokers and non-smokers (control) to determine the effects of temperature, pH, and substrate concentration on the kinetic parameters of the enzyme. The analysis of the saliva samples showed that there were significant increases (P&lt;0.05) in the α-amylase activity values in the saliva of cigarette smokers when compared with non-smokers at optimum conditions (2.74±0.37 nmol/min/mg-protein and 2.01±0.16 nmol/min/mg-protein, respectively). The Michaelis constant (Km) values of 0.5±0.02 mM and 1.12±0.08 mM observed for non-smokers and smokers were obtained from the double reciprocal plot of initial velocity (1/V) and substrate concentration (1/[S]). The maximum activities obtained at an optimum temperature of 37ºC, and an apparent pH of 7.0 for both subjects were 31.25±8.24 nmol/min/mg protein and 18.10±4.06 nmol/min/mg protein for non-smokers and smokers respectively. Measurements of salivary α-amylase activity could be useful in the early detection and diagnosis of parotitis. Subsequent studies are required to specify the mechanisms responsible for such a risk.

Smoking induced alterations in auditory pathways: Evidence from evoked potentials

Objectives: Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR) are used for assessment of integrity of auditory pathway. Given the widespread prevalence of smoking, interpretation of ABR data must be done in light of smoker/nonsmoker status. Materials and Methods: The present study was done on 30 normal, healthy non-smoker males and 30 healthy, smoker males in the age group of 18-40 years. Approval of Institutional Ethics Committee and written informed consent was taken from all volunteers. ABR was recorded using Biopac MP 150 system. The recordings were done in a state of abstinence of 12 hours (chronic smoking state) and 10 minutes after smoking (acute smoking state). In the non-smoker group, only one set of recordings were done. The peak latencies and amplitudes of the ABR waves were analyzed. Results: Analysis of data revealed a significant prolongation of the latencies of wave I and II and Inter-peak latency I-III in chronic smoking state as compared to non-smoking state. The amplitudes of waves I, II and V were also significantly reduced in chronic smoking state. A comparison between the non-smokers and acute smoking state revealed significantly prolonged latency of waves I and II in the acute smoking state accompanied by a significant decrease in the amplitudes of all waves of ABR. There were no significant differences in latencies and amplitudes of the chronic and acute smoking state. Conclusion: Smoking led to an increase in latency and decrease in amplitude, thereby indicating that it adversely affected the auditory pathway. Thus, interpretation of data of ABR should consider smoking as a confounding variable.