Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This research project aimed to evaluate the levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in male smokers and non-smokers to understand the impact of smoking on the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in the body. Smoking is a well-known risk factor for various health conditions due to the generation of free radicals and oxidative stress. Vitamin C and E are essential antioxidants that protect cells from damage caused by these free radicals, while MDA is a marker of lipid peroxidation, indicating oxidative stress levels. The study involved a total of 100 male participants, including 50 smokers and 50 non-smokers, matched for age and other demographic variables. Blood samples were collected from all participants, and the levels of vitamin C and E were measured using spectrophotometric methods. MDA levels were determined as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Additionally, smoking habits and duration were recorded for the smoker group to assess the potential correlation between smoking intensity and antioxidant status. The results revealed a significant difference in the levels of vitamin C, vitamin E, and MDA between male smokers and non-smokers. Smokers exhibited lower levels of vitamin C and vitamin E compared to non-smokers, indicating a decreased antioxidant capacity in individuals who smoke. Conversely, MDA levels were significantly higher in smokers, suggesting increased lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in this group. Furthermore, within the smoker group, a correlation analysis showed a negative relationship between smoking duration and levels of vitamin C and E, indicating that longer smoking habits are associated with a more pronounced decrease in antioxidant levels. This highlights the cumulative effect of smoking on antioxidant status over time. Overall, the findings of this study emphasize the detrimental impact of smoking on antioxidant defenses and oxidative stress levels in male individuals. Maintaining adequate levels of vitamin C and E is crucial for protecting cells from oxidative damage induced by smoking-related free radicals. Understanding these changes in antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation may provide valuable insights for developing targeted interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of smoking on health. Further research is warranted to explore additional factors influencing antioxidant status in smokers and evaluate the efficacy of antioxidant supplementation in this population.

Thesis Overview

Tobacco smoking is a practice of burning tobacco and inhaling the smoke (consisting of gaseous phases and particles). A more broad definition may include taking tobacco smoke into the mouth, and then releasing it, as is done by some with tobacco pipes and cigars. The practice may have begun as early as 5000-3000 BC (Nagarajet al., 2014).Cigarette smoking is probably the most addictive and dependence producing form of object-specific, self-administered gratification known to man. According to present estimates, tobacco is responsible for causing more than 5 million deaths every year (World Health Organization, 2008).

The harmful effects of cigarette smoking onhuman health have been well documented.It has been known that cigarette smoke carriesaround 4000 chemicals including toxic metals,poisonous gases and free radicals (Schumacher et al., 2009). Amongst theseconstituents, free radicals are considered to be moredangerous as these owing to their unpaired electron

are highly reactive and can cause oxidative damageto biomolecules and biomembranes (Senet al., 2010).

Smoking plays an important role in disturbing the antioxidant balance. Normally blood contains a healthy complement of antioxidants that keep oxidative damage to a minimum. Tobacco smoke contains abundant reactive oxygen species and also activated neutrophils released due to smoking also add to the pool of reactive oxygen species which deplete these antioxidant mechanisms leading to tissue damage (Kumaret al., 2010).

Malondialdehyde is a organic compound with the formula CH2 (CHO). This reactive species occurs naturally and is a marker for oxidative stress.