Effects of smoking on the serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate

ABSTRACT

Cigarette smoking has been incriminated in the development of many medical disorders, namely coronary heart disease and lung cancer. Low levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate "DHEAS" Has been found in patients with coronary heart disease, hypertension, obesity, atherosclerosis and malignancy. To detect the effect of cigarette smoking on the serum levels of DHEA S we have examined a group of subjects, namely 76 males and 40 females aged 40-49 years. Half of them beeing smoking 20 cigarettes daily for at least 20 years and the other half were never smokers. All subjects were chosen not to be hypertensive, diabetic, hyperlipedemic or obese and not having any significant disorder. Analysis of our results revealed significant lower levels of DHEA S in the smoker subgroup compared with the non smoker group with a P value < 0.05 in males and < 0.01 in females. We concluded that low serum levels of DHEA S may be associated with cigarette smoking in both sexes provided that conditions are the same. This may explain the liability of the smokers to develop coronary heart disease and malignancy. We recommend estimation of DHEA S serum levels in smokers to detect those with higher risk to develop coronary heart disease and malignancy. Also estimation of DHEA S levels in ex- smokers is recommended to detect the effect of cessation of cigarette smoking