The comparision of serum antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase and catalase activity of cigarette smokers to nonsmokers

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of some diseases such as lung cancer، chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and atheroscleorosis. Smoking may enhance oxidative stress through the production of reactive oxygen radicals in smoke and weakens the antioxidant defense system. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of cigarette smoking on superoxide dismutase، catalase enzymes activities and total antioxidant capacity in cigarette smokers. This research was done on thirty male volunteers (25-35 years-old) who smoked over 10 cigarettes per day. Controls were thirty non-smoker male volunteers (25-35 years-old). Blood samples from overnights fasted subjects were used for the study. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activity and total anti oxidation capacity were analyzed. Data was described as mean±SD and data means of the two groups was compared by independent T-test. Data was analyzed by SPSS 18 software. The amount of total antioxidant capacity and catalase and superoxide dismutase activity had a significant statistical decrease in the group compared to the control group (p<0. 05). This study showed that oxidative stress causes a decline of the body antioxidant protective system which in long time it can cause cardiac and blood-vessels diseases in cigarette smokers.