Total Count of White Blood Cells in Adult Male Smokers.

The present study was carried out to observe the changes in total count in WBC in cigarette smokers. The study population consisted of 105 adult male smokers and non-smokers, aged 20~40 years, from different socio-economic classes. Among them, 30 apparently healthy non-smokers were taken as control . 75 apparently healthy smokers, who had the history of smoking of one or more cigarette per day, regularly for at least last one year, were taken as the study group. Smokers were again subdivided into three categories according to the number of cigarettes they consumed per day. For statistical analysis unpaired “t” test was used for comparison. Mean ± SD of Total count of WBC in non smokers and smokers were 7501.66 ± 929.4 /mm3 and 9171.3 ± 1037.7/mm3 respectively. Smokers had significantly (P <0.001) higher WBC counts than non-smokers. In addition, WBC count was found increased with intensity of smoking. The smokers who were smoking e” 20 cigarettes per day had the higher total WBC count than those who were smoking lesser. The findings of the present study suggest that cigarette smoking may cause increased the total count of WBC, which may predict high risk for some fatal diseases.

Study of Lipid Profile in Shift Workers.

Background: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the changes of serum lipid profile in apparently healthy shift workers and non shift workers to identify the possible high risk factors for developing atherosclerotic changes. Methods: Serum Total Cholesterol, Triglyceride, HDL-Cholesterol and LDL-Cholesterol levels were estimated and blood pressure was measured in apparently healthy adult shift worker and non shift worker participants. Total 60 subjects age ranged from 20-50 years were selected, of whom 30 were shift workers (Study) for at least one year and 30 were non shift workers (control). Height, weight and resting blood pressure of all the subjects were recorded before collection of blood. Blood samples were collected after over night fasting for estimation of serum lipid and lipoprotein levels and were measured by standard laboratory technique. Data were analyzed by unpaired ‘t’ test. Results: The mean serum Total Cholesterol and LDL-Cholesterol levels were significantly higher in shift workers compared to those of non shift workers. Again mean serum Triglyceride and HDL-Cholesterol levels in the shift workers did not differ significantly from that of non shift workers. These changes may be related to internal desynchronization due to disruption of circadian rhythm. Conclusion: The changes in serum lipid and lipoprotein levels with the exception of HDL-Cholesterol and Triglyceride in the subjects engaged in shift work may put them at increased risk for coronary artery disease.