Lipid profile in smokers and non-smokers associated with pulmonary emphysema

ABSTRACT

The changes in lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in smoking and non-smoking subjects associated with emphysema and their effects on heart were investigated. Forty male subjects were selected and classified clinically into four groups; control, cigarette smoking subjects without emphysema, non-smoking subjects with emphysema, and cigarette smoking subjects with emphysema. Serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] were assessed as a direct indicator of lipid peroxidation. Serum total lipid, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-C], and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL-C] were evaluated. Serum creatine kinase [CK] activity was assessed as a direct indicator of heart injury. Serum alpha-1-antitrypsin [AAT] level was measured as an indicator of emphysema. As compared to control, emphysematous and non-emphysematous groups showed alteration in lipid profile including significant increase in all lipid components, except HDL-C. In comparison with smoking group without emphysema, all lipid components revealed no significant change in non-smoking subjects with emphysema, while a sign of lipid impairments was high in cigarette smoking group with emphysema as compared to smoking group without emphysema. The level of TBARS and CK activity were higher in the two groups with emphysema as compared to either controls or smoking subjects without emphysema. In contrast, the AAT levels were low in the two groups with emphysema as compared to controls and smoking subjects without emphysema. It is clear from the foregoing findings that emphysema, especially in smoking subjects, was mainly associated with oxygen- derived free radicals that damage lipids in peribronchiolar alveoli of the lung tissues accompanied with elevation in total lipid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-C levels, that may lead to the high risk of heart diseases