ABSTRACT
To investigate the change of nitric oxide(No), copper, and zinc in serum on smoking and alcohol ingestion in young adults, this study was performed in a cross-sectional study in 127 healthy, men in Korea who had HBsAg(-), HCVAb(-), and no symptomatic liver, heart, gastrointestinal, chronic diseases, and inflammatory sign(lower than 10,000 white blood cell count in CBC). At the men's entry into the study, blood samples were drawn from each subject and immediately centrifuged for analysis of NO, copper, and zinc. Each man completed a questionnaire that provided information on smoking, alcohol intake and present and past medical history. NO was analyzed by HPLC(Green et al., 1982), copper and zinc by atomic absorption spectrophotometer with air-acetylene flame and total cholesterol(TC) by Spectrum EPX. smoking(number of cigarettes per day and pack-year) and alcohol intake was grouped tertile. Copper was adjusted for age and zinc and for age and TC. NO, copper, and zinc on smoking and alcohol ingestion were analyzed in general linear models, respectively. NO, copper and zinc in serum did not show statistical differences between non-smoking and high-smoking group and no-alcohol intake and high-alcohol intake group. This study, suggested that copper, zinc, and NO was not good biological marker for early effect by smoking and alcohol intake in young adults. However, selection bias should be Considered in evaluation of this result. A large prospective study, will be needed in advance on usefulness of copper, zinc, and NO as a marker for risk fictors and early change of atherosclerosis.