LDL Susceptibility to Oxidative Stress in Smokers.

In 30 cigarette smokers and in 30 sex and age matched nonsmoker controls, susceptibility of LDL to oxidative stress following incubation with copper sulphate (1mM) was measured in terms of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance. Susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in smokers was found to be 0.514131±0.468231picomol MDA/μg protein/hr. LDL susceptibility to oxidation in non-smokers was found to be 0.711726 ± 0.447324picomol MDA/μg protein/hr. These two values were not statistically different (p=0.1) by unpaired T test. This study therefore suggests that cigarette smoke does not increase LDL susceptibility to oxidation.