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Journal of Medical Sciences

Year: 2008 | Volume: 8 | Issue: 6 | Page No.: 523-531
DOI: 10.3923/jms.2008.523.531
Serum Lycopene, β-Carotene and α-Tocopherol Levels and Oxidative Stress in Healthy Active Saudi Male Cigarette Smokers
Khalid S. Al-Numair

Abstract: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of cigarette smoking on hypertension and the serum levels of lycopene, β-carotene and α-tocopherols in relation to the concentration of oxidative marker malondialdehyde (MAD). In addition, serum levels of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and their specific apolipoproteins B and A1 (Apo B and A1), respectively, were evaluated in cigarette smokers. Two hundred healthy men (100 smokers and 100 non-smokers) aged between 30 and 50, from Jeddah, the second largest city in Saudi Arabia, volunteered to participate in this study. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were found to be significantly (p<0.05) higher for smokers than for non-smokers. The serum concentrations of lycopene and β-carotene were significantly (p<0.05) lower in cigarette smokers than in non-smokers whereas a slight decrease (not significant) in serum α-tocopherol was observed in smokers. In the same respect, there was a significant (p<0.05) increase in the oxidative marker (MAD) in smokers. So, the Pearsons correlation coefficient for the serum lycopene and β-carotene levels and the serum malondialdehyde concentration in smokers were significantly inversely (p<0.05) higher than that of non-smokers, whereas no significant correlation between serum α-tocopherol level and MAD concentration was observed in both smokers and non-smokers. Accordingly, smoking was shown to significantly (p<0.05) increase LDL-C and its specific apo B, but significantly (p<0.05) decrease HDL-C and specific apo A1. This makes the risk of chronic diseases and death higher in smokers. The obtained results indicate that lycopene and β-carotene are the most potential antioxidant, while α-tocopherol play a secondary role in the cigarette smoke free radical scavenge.

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How to cite this article
Khalid S. Al-Numair , 2008. Serum Lycopene, β-Carotene and α-Tocopherol Levels and Oxidative Stress in Healthy Active Saudi Male Cigarette Smokers. Journal of Medical Sciences, 8: 523-531.

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