Koji Suzuki, Yoshinori Ito, Junichi Ochiai, Kunio Aoki, Kenji Wakai, Akiko Tamakoshi, Masahiko Ando, Yoshiyuki Watanabe, Kotaro Ozasa, Nao Seki, Yoshikazu Nishino, Takaaki Kondo, Yoshiyuki Ohno
Journal of Epidemiology, 13(1) 29-37, Jan, 2003
This study investigated the relationship between smoking habits and serum levels of 8-OHdG, oxidized LDL antibodies (oLAB), Mn-SOD, and carotenoids. Subjects were 79 males (mean age ± standard deviation
62.1±10.0 years) and 79 females (60.3±10.3 y) who attended a health examination screening in the town of Hokkaido, Japan. Serum 8-OHdG, Mn-SOD, and oLAB levels were measured by ELISA and serum carotenoids levels were measured by HPLC. Smoking habits were assessed by public health nurses using a questionnaire. Serum 8-OHdG levels were significantly higher in males than in females. On the other hand, serum levels of β-carotene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin and lutein were significantly lower in males than in females. Serum β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin and lutein were significantly lower in males who were current smokers, compared to non-smokers. Serum 8-OHdG levels were also significantly higher in current smokers. Furthermore, in males, serum oLAB and β-carotene levels were significantly and negatively correlated with the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Serum Mn-SOD levels were unrelated to smoking habits in males. In conclusion, this preliminary study suggests that cigarette smoking increases serum 8-OHdG levels and reduces serum levels of oLAB and carotenoids, such as β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin and lutein in healthy male subjects. Serum levels of 8-OHdG, oLAB, and carotenoids may be useful biomarkers of oxidative conditions affected by smoking.