Relationship between smoking and serum ferritin levels

ABSTRACT

High serum lipid levels, smoking and lack of physical activity are recognized modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis and coronary heart diseases. Serum ferritin, the stored form of iron provides free iron for oxidation of lipids. It is being investigated as a risk factor for cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases. To find out the relationship between modifiable risk factors serum ferritin and smoking. Material and 38 smokers and 56 nonsmokers, male aged 20 to 66 were selected by convenient method. Smokers were divided in three groups according to smoking strength. Serum ferritin was done by ELISA 1-step sandwich assay. Sample of blood was collected after 14 hours fasting and abstinence of smoking. Serum stored at 20°C for future analysis. Result: Mean serum ferritin in non-smokers was found to be 154 +/- 15.11 ng/ml and in smokers 237.7 +/- 39.89ng/ml, which is highly significant [P< 0.009]. Results were evaluated by SPSS 7.5 software. Smoking contains free radicals that result in oxidative stress, which increases ferritin synthesis: